Key Highlights
- Celtic face a tough test against struggling Utrecht in their Europa League match.
- Utrecht are third from bottom of the Europa League table and have lost five consecutive matches.
- Celtic need victory to progress, while Utrecht are already eliminated from the competition.
- Former Celtic goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas is expected to start for Utrecht.
The Celtic Challenge
Celtic find themselves in a precarious position heading into their Europa League clash with Utrecht. The Scottish giants need a victory on Thursday, 29 January at Celtic Park if they are to continue their European adventure. A defeat could see them slip from the safety of the knock-out stage play-offs and into a far more perilous situation.
Utrecht, facing elimination, come into this match in terrible form.
They sit third from bottom in the Europa League table, having only collected one point from seven games and losing eight out of their last ten away major European matches. Their domestic woes are no better; they lie 11th in the Eredivisie, seven points adrift of a play-off spot.
A Struggling Utrecht
Utrecht’s recent form is nothing short of dire. They have lost five consecutive matches across all competitions, including last week’s 1-0 defeat to Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie. Their hopes of salvaging some pride lie with their upcoming Europa League encounter against Celtic.
The team has also been hit by injuries and squad shuffles.
Key players like Zidane Iqbal, Victor Jensen, and David Min are sidelined, while new signings Angel Alarcon and Adrian Blake may not feature due to eligibility issues. Vasilis Barkas, who had a brief spell as Celtic’s first-choice goalkeeper, is now in the Utrecht net.
Celtic’s Stakes
Martin O’Neill’s team have their work cut out for them against a side that has lost five straight matches and is already eliminated from the Europa League. However, the home advantage could tip the scales in their favor. Celtic are unbeaten in five outings and have faced some formidable opponents this season.
Despite their recent struggles, Celtic remain determined to progress.
They have won 10 and lost eight of their 20 matches against Dutch opposition, with a notable victory over Feyenoord earlier this year. Their home record against Dutch teams is slightly better, with five wins and two losses in eight games.
Looking Ahead
The match will be the third meeting between these sides, following Utrecht’s comeback from a 2-0 first-leg loss at Celtic Park to progress on aggregate. Both teams have their own challenges to overcome, but O’Neill’s side must not take this lightly if they are to secure their place in the knock-out stage.
While Celtic face significant hurdles, this is by no means an insurmountable task. The Scottish giants will be looking to make a statement and maintain their European hopes. Utrecht, on the other hand, will be desperate to avoid a heavy defeat that could cement their status as one of Europe’s struggling sides.
