The first Europa League 2025/26 play-off match between Celtic (Scotland) and Stuttgart (Germany) will take place on 19 February at Celtic Park in Glasgow. Celtic vs Stuttgart: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Celtic
Celtic finished 21st in the league phase, only sealing a play-off spot in the final round. The club avoided defeat in five of eight matches (three wins, two draws), but they failed to keep a clean sheet even once. What is more, Celtic have conceded at least twice in five of their last seven Europa League games. Overall, the club have let in 15 goals, with only five sides recording a worse figure. It is worth recalling that last season the team featured in the Champions League and failed to get past Bayern Munich in the play-offs.
- Both teams to score landed in five of Celtic’s previous six Europa League matches.
- On home soil in this tournament, the team have gone 25 games without a draw (15 wins, 10 defeats).
- At least three goals were scored in five of the Scots’ previous seven home Europa League matches.
Potential Celtic Lineup (4-5-1)*
Kasper Schmeichel – Kieran Tierney, Liam Scales, Julian Araujo, Auston Trusty – Hyun-jun Yang, Benjamin Nygren, Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, Junior Adamu – Daizen Maeda.
Defenders Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston, midfielders Arne Engels and Callum Osmand, as well as forward Jota Neves are injured.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart produced uncompromising results in the league phase, recording five wins and three defeats. It is worth noting that the team lost exclusively away from home. As a result, Sebastian Hoeness’s men finished 11th with 15 points. With 15 goals scored, the club also ranked in the top six for attacking output. The Germans last featured in the Europa League in 2012/13, reaching the round of 16. Last year, Stuttgart finished 26th in the Champions League league phase.
- A goal in both halves was scored in five of the Germans’ previous seven Europa League matches.
- Away from home, the team have lost four of their last five Europa League matches (one win).
- At least one team failed to score in five of Stuttgart’s previous six away games in this tournament.
Potential Stuttgart Lineup (4-3-3)*
Alexander Nubel – Maximilian Mittelstadt, Julian Chabot, Finn Jeltsch, Lorenz Assignon – Atakan Karazor, Chris Fuhrich, Chema Andres – Ermedin Demirovic, Deniz Undav, Jamie Leweling.
Defenders Luca-Jannis Kilian, Timo Hubers and Joel Schmid will miss out through injury.
Referee
Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Yellow cards per match on average – 3.2;
Red cards shown – 2;
Fouls per match on average – 22;
Penalties – 60%.
Celtic vs Stuttgart: Match Prediction
Martin O’Neill’s return to the dugout has clearly transformed the Scots’ results. Since his appointment, Celtic have gone unbeaten in 10 competitive matches (seven wins and three draws in normal time). This includes two Europa League games, and it was the four points collected there that kept the team in the tournament. With the second leg in mind, the hosts will look to build an advantage at home, where the Scots are traditionally strong. Celtic have won seven of their previous 10 home Europa League matches (three defeats).
Stuttgart picked up almost all of their points in the league phase at home. Their only away win came against a debutant in European competition. Even in the domestic league, Sebastian Hoeness’s men have not impressed on the road. As a rule, the club beat teams from the bottom half of the standings, but they rarely achieve a positive result against serious opponents.
Prediction: Celtic Draw No Bet
* Each team’s starting XI is based on its line-up in its previous match.
