VfB Stuttgart vs. Celtic F.C. Europa League preview: Team news and predicted lineups
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Stuttgart face Celtic in the return leg of the UEFA Europa League playoff tie. Sebastian Hoeneß’s side won last week’s game away from home 4-1.
The statement victory put Stuttgart in a favorable position ahead of Thursday’s return leg. Bilal El Khannouss had a slow start to the new year, but he played a starring role with the first two goals in an efficient display by the Swabians.
However, Stuttgart dropped points in successive away games in the Bundesliga after a rollercoaster 3-3 draw with Heidenheim. Deniz Undav’s 88th-minute strike salvaged a point for the Champions League hopefuls, but it was a missed opportunity against Bundesliga’s bottom-placed team.
Martin O'Neill’s side will face the Glasgow derby against Rangers on Sunday. The 55-time champions lost again at Celtic Park last weekend, with the 2-1 defeat to Hibernian leaving them in third place in the Scottish Premiership. Like last Thursday, Benjamin Nygren scored Celtic’s solitary goal.
Stuttgart will either face Braga or Porto if they qualify for the Round of 16. Neighbours Freiburg are certain to be involved in Friday’s draw for the next stage of the competition.
Team News
Jeff Chabot will be unavailable due to suspension, while Lazar Jovanovic is the only player out with an injury. Angelo Stiller, who had to be taken off late in Heidenheim due to what seemed like an injury, trained without any issue, according to Hoeneß. There is a possibility of a few changes to the side, although the coach stressed that they will not afford to underestimate their opponents.
Former Augsburg attacker Arne Engels didn’t return to Celtic’s squad in the weekend’s game. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started that game, but he’s not part of their Europa League roster as the free signing was completed after UEFA’s deadline date for submission.
Predicted Lineups
Celtic: Schmeichel; Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Nygren, McGregor ©, Hatate; Yang, Maeda, Tounekti
Stuttgart: Nübel; Vagnoman, Jeltsch, Hendirks, Mittelstädt; Karazor ©, Stiller; Leweling, Undav, El Khannouss; Demirovic
