Champions League
2025-02-18 - Bayern Munich vs Celtic
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Play Off Round Second Leg
Tuesday 18th February 2025 - Kick Off 8pm
This game is live on TV
Bayern Munich
They were perhaps fortunate to leave Glasgow with a lead in this Play Off Round tie, but Bayern Munich would have felt like big favourites to progress into the Last 16 of the Champions League even if they had been narrowly behind. Back in Bavaria, Bayern Munich are going to be able to play with some patience knowing that the visiting team will have to open up and take chances at some stage during this Second Leg.
A goalless draw in Leverkusen has kept Bayern Munich on track to once again finish the season as German Champions, although there will be plenty of criticism for Vincent Kompany if his team exit the Champions League earlier than anticipated. With a 2-1 lead from the First Leg, Bayern Munich have to be feeling very confident of earning a spot in the Last 16 draw later this week, especially as they are unbeaten in 20 home Champions League fixtures.
Bayern Munich were stunned in a 3-0 loss at Feyenoord last month, but are unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions since then and had won 5 in a row before the goalless draw at Bayer Leverkusen. The side have not only won 7 straight home fixtures in all competitions, but Bayern Munich have also scored at least three times in each victory.
The squad looks about as healthy as could be hoped in February.
Celtic
There have been some criticism of the approach Brendan Rodgers wants from his Celtic team even when coming up against tougher opponents in the Champions League compared with those they face in the Scottish Premiership. The manager has a certain style that he wants his team to produce and it has led to some tough learning occasions for Celtic, although the fans could only have been proud of the performance in the First Leg of this Play Off tie.
A 1-2 loss at Celtic Park has left the Scottish Champions in a very tough position, but the players might have taken some confidence from the level produced and chances created against a top opponent like Bayern Munich. They have not won an away Champions League games in 12 attempts, but Celtic did draw 2 of their 4 fixtures on their travels in the League Phase of this year's competition.
Celtic have won 9 of their last 12 games in all competitions, but have suffered two Champions League defeats in that run. Home form has been really strong for Celtic, but they have won 2 of their last 7 on their travels.
James Forrest is continuing to miss time for the away team.
Head to Head
This is the sixth time Bayern Munich and Celtic are meeting and the Scottish club have yet to record a win.
In two previous visits to Munich, Celtic have been beaten twice.
Prediction
The underlying numbers suggested that Celtic created the better situations last week against Bayern Munich, but naive defending and a bit of misfortune went against the home team.
A late goal has given Celtic some hope, but it is still a huge ask of a team that has not won any of 12 away Champions League ties to find a way to snap Bayern Munich's unbeaten run at 20 home games in the competition.
Brendan Rodgers will set his team up to counter Bayern Munich, but patience will begin to run out if Celtic were to fall behind and then need two goals to recover.
Bayern Munich have not perhaps been the most convincing under Vincent Kompany, but they have been very good at home and have the firepower to hurt many an opponent.
7 straight wins have been produced in front of the home fans, while Bayern Munich have scored at least three goals in each of those matches. That threat in the final third could just wear down Celtic, who were thumped in Germany once already in the Champions League this season when going down 7-1 at Borussia Dortmund.
Back to back away goalless draws will have given them some confidence, but Celtic then conceded four at Aston Villa and they may just fall away in this Second Leg.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Bayern Munich 4-1 Celtic
