Benjamin Nygren to start: Celtic predicted XI vs FC Kairat
Celtic will look to confirm their place in the Champions League group stage when they travel to Kazakhstan for the second leg of their playoff tie with FC Kairat.
The Hoops endured a disappointing 0-0 draw in the first leg, making a slow start and almost falling behind in the first few minutes before they were able to establish some dominance.
Even then, Celtic rarely cut the visitors open, with a James Forrest effort just after half-time their best chance. Brendan Rodgers‘ men were limited to just 11 shots on the night, to the tune of 0.56 xG, exactly the same as Kairat (FotMob).
Now, Celtic must head East and get the job done on Tuesday if they’re to book their place in the Champions League group stage for a fourth year running.
Celtic predicted XI vs FC Kairat
Alistair Johnston went down with a hamstring injury during the first half of the first leg and isn’t expected back in action until mid-November at the earliest.
Adam Idah and Auston Trusty are also out with a knock and foot problem, respectively, while we won’t see Jota until January as he continues his recovery from an ACL tear.
Celtic cruised past Livingston 3-0 at home at the weekend, with Benjamin Nygren bagging a brace to take his tally to three goals and an assist in five appearances for his new side — and Rodgers will lean heavily on him in attack.
Rodgers will also want to see a big performance from Daizen Maeda, who registered 33 goals and 11 assists last season but has just one goal and two assists in fice appearances to start this campaign.
While travelling anywhere in the Champions League is a tough task, Celtic are favourites here, and their confidence will be boosted by Kairat’s seven-game home unbeaten run being ended with a 3-2 defeat to FC Yelimay prior to the first leg.
Celtic to get the job done
A 0-0 draw at Parkhead in the first leg was a massive disappointment, but seemingly an anomaly rather than something to be worried about for Celtic.
The Glasgow giants have started the season superbly, sweeping past St. Mirren, Aberdeen, Falkirk and Livingston in domestic play, with 10 goals scored and just one conceded.
Celtic seem to have made a top summer signing in Nygren, who has been superb since joining from Nordsjaelland, while at the back, there is quality and experience aplenty.
| Celtic stats | Benjamin Nygren |
| Appearances | 5 |
| Goals | 3 |
| Assists | 1 |
This won’t be an easy away day, and Rodgers will have no intentions of underestimating Kairat after the first leg. The Kazakh side have already endured a long road to reach this stage, beating Olimpija Ljubljana, KuPS and Slovan Bratislava across two legs by a 7-4 combined scoreline.
However, Celtic have all the tools to get the job done and book their place in the group stage once again, and their fans will be expectant.
Prediction: FC Kairat 0-2 Celtic