Celtic vs Celta de Vigo 22 October 2026 Prediction

Celtic vs Celta meet on the third matchday of the Europa League league phase. Neither team has earned a point, making their match at Celtic Park important for both sides. Celtic is coming off a convincing win in the Scottish league, while Celta will look to carry its unbeaten La Liga run into European competition. Another loss would make qualification for the next round more difficult.

Celtic: Domestic Win, Defensive Issues in Europe

Celtic enters the match after a 7-1 league win over Hearts, its highest-scoring performance of the season. Callum Osmand and Benjamin Nygren scored twice each, while Kieran Tierney and Camilo Durán also found the net. Yang Hyun-jun, who has two goals and one assist this season, remains unavailable and will miss this match. The Hearts result does not erase Celtic’s poor start in Europe: manager Martin O’Neill’s team lost 3-1 at home to Ferencváros and 4-1 away to Benfica, conceding seven goals across the two games.

Defensive absences add to the concern. Cameron Carter-Vickers is ruled out on Thursday, while Alistair Johnston has resumed on-field training but remains doubtful. Their availability would give O’Neill more options in a back line that has struggled in European competition.

Celta: Attacking Absences and Defensive Concerns

Celta travels to Glasgow with several concerns up front. Borja Iglesias is expected to be out for around six weeks. Pablo Durán has missed the last two matches with calf swelling and remains doubtful. Ferran Jutglà, who scored in the 2-1 win over Alavés, is an option at striker. Captain Iago Aspas is also working his way back from injury. He came off the bench in each of the last two games and provided an assist on Sunday.

Celta’s defending remains a concern. Manager Claudio Giráldez’s side allowed Alavés 20 shots, including nine on target. After conceding in the 87th minute, Celta relied on several saves from goalkeeper Ionuț Radu to hold on. Late goals have also cost Celta in the Europa League: it conceded in the 88th minute against Omonia in a 1-0 loss and in the 92nd minute against Juventus in a 2-1 defeat after scoring first. Celta is unbeaten in six straight La Liga matches but has lost both of its European games.

Celtic vs Celta Predicted Lineup

Celtic (4-2-3-1): Sinisalo – Donovan, Murray, Trusty, Tierney – McGregor, Baur – C. Durán, Nygren, Osmand – Høgh

Unavailable: Carter-Vickers, Yang Hyun-jun (both injured); Jota, Emenalo (both out of the squad); A. Johnston (doubtful)

Manager: Martin O’Neill

Celta (3-4-2-1): Radu – Rodríguez, Lago, Cáceres – Carreira, Burcio, Moriba, Álvarez – Driouech, Swedberg – Jutglà

Unavailable: Starfelt, Iglesias, Román, El Abdellaoui (all injured); P. Durán (doubtful)

Manager: Claudio Giráldez

Referee: Georgi Kabakov (Bulgaria)

Kabakov has averaged five yellow cards per game this season. In nine matches, he has shown six red cards and awarded two penalties. His four European fixtures have produced 18 yellow cards, three red cards and one penalty.

Celtic vs Celta Prediction: Celtic to Win at 2.71

Main pick: Celtic has the stronger case despite losing its first two Europa League games. The 7-1 win over Hearts was its fifth victory in seven home matches across all competitions this season. Celta also won in La Liga over the weekend, but its 2-1 victory over Alavés came at home. Giráldez’s side is winless in five away matches, including a 1-0 loss to Omonia in Europe. Celtic’s home record and Celta’s away struggles point to the hosts. Our pick: Celtic to win at 2.71.

Goals pick: Both teams need points, and their recent matches suggest goals are possible. At least three goals have been scored in four of Celtic’s last six games and three of Celta’s last four. Both defenses have also shown weaknesses. Our pick: Over 2.5 goals at 1.84.