Match Preview: Celtic vs Young Boys (Champions League)

Fixture: Celtic vs Young Boys

Date: 22 January 2025

Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland

Competition: UEFA Champions League League Phase, Matchday 7

Kick-Off: 20:00 CET

• Total Matches Played: 2
• Celtic Wins: 1
• Draws: 1
• Young Boys Wins: 0
  

1993/94 UEFA Europa League First Round:

• Leg 1: Young Boys 0-0 Celtic
• Leg 2: Celtic 1-0 Young Boys (AET) – Decided by an own goal from Alain Baumann in extra time.
  

Recent Matches:

• W 2-1 vs. Kilmarnock (Scottish Cup, 18 Jan)
• D 3-3 vs. Dundee (Scottish Premiership, 14 Jan)
• W 4-1 vs. Ross County (Scottish Premiership, 11 Jan)
• W 2-0 vs. Dundee United (Scottish Premiership, 8 Jan)
• W 3-0 vs. St. Mirren (Scottish Premiership, 5 Jan)
  

• Points: 9 (21st in standings)
• Home Record: 2 wins, 1 draw.
• Notable Matches: 5-1 vs. Slovan Bratislava, 3-1 vs. Leipzig.

Analysis: Celtic’s home form has been stellar in Europe, where they’ve consistently dominated with attacking flair and defensive discipline. However, inconsistency in domestic fixtures has highlighted occasional defensive vulnerabilities.

Recent Matches:

• D 0-0 vs. Winterthur (Super League, 18 Jan)
• W 6-0 vs. Biel-Bienne (Friendly, 15 Jan)
• L 0-1 vs. Ludogorets (Friendly, 10 Jan)
• L 1-2 vs. Hannover 96 (Friendly, 10 Jan)
• W 4-1 vs. Sepsi (Friendly, 7 Jan)

Champions League Form:

• Points: 0 (36th, eliminated)
• Away Record: 0 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses.
• Key Match: 1-5 defeat to Stuttgart, showcasing defensive frailties.

Analysis: Despite dominating domestically, Young Boys have struggled in Europe, particularly away from home, where they’ve conceded 22 goals across six group-stage matches.

• Goalkeeper: Kasper Schmeichel
• Defenders: Alistair Johnston, Aaron Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Greg Taylor
• Midfielders: Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Arne Engels
• Forwards: Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas Kuhn

Key Players:

• Kyogo Furuhashi: Celtic’s prolific forward with an eye for goal, especially in high-stakes games.
• Nicolas Kuhn: A dynamic winger capable of creating chances with his creativity
• Callum McGregor: The captain and midfield anchor, controlling tempo and transitions.
  

• Goalkeeper: David von Ballmoos
• Defenders: Lewis Blum, Mohamed Ali Camara, Zachary Athekame, Jaouen Hadjam
• Midfielders: Sandro Lauper, Filip Ugrinic
• Attacking Midfielders:  Joel Monteiro, Meschack Elia, Ibrahim Colley
• Forward: Cedric Itten

Key Players:

• Cedric Itten: Aerially dominant forward with a knack for scoring crucial goals.
• Filip Ugrinic: A creative midfielder with vision and technical ability.
• Mohamed Ali Camara: The leader at the back, tasked with containing Celtic’s dynamic attack.
  

Style: High-pressing, possession-based football, with full-backs providing width and midfielders controlling transitions.

Strengths:

• Home advantage and crowd support.
• Attacking fluidity led by Furuhashi and Palma.
• Effective at set-pieces and high turnovers.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive lapses under pressure.
• Vulnerable to pacey counterattacks.
  

Style: Compact, counter-attacking setup, relying on quick transitions and physicality in set-piece situations.

Strengths:

• Aerial presence through Itten and Nsame.
• Midfield solidity with Lauper and Ugrinic.

Weaknesses:

• Poor defensive structure away from home.
• Inability to sustain possession against high-pressing sides.
  

• Unbeaten at Celtic Park against Swiss opposition in nine games (8W, 1D).
• Scored 11 goals in their last three European home fixtures.
  

• Winless in 11 UEFA Champions League away matches.
• Conceded 22 goals in the current group stage campaign.
  

• Scored in each of Celtic’s last two Champions League home games
  

Celtic to Win:

• Strong home record and Young Boys’ poor away form make Celtic favourites.

Both Teams to Score – Yes:

• Despite Celtic’s dominance, Young Boys have attacking quality to find the net.

Over 2.5 Goals:

• Celtic’s free-scoring attack combined with Young Boys’ defensive struggles could lead to a high-scoring game.

First Goal Scorer – Kyogo Furuhashi:

• The forward’s poaching instincts make him a strong candidate to break the deadlock.
  

Celtic’s attacking prowess at home, coupled with Young Boys’ poor defensive record, suggests a dominant performance from the Scottish champions. Young Boys may pose a threat on counters, but their defensive vulnerabilities are likely to cost them.

Predicted Scoreline: Celtic 3-1 Young Boys

Expect an entertaining clash with Celtic firmly in control, boosted by their fervent home crowd and superior quality in attack.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.