Celtic are once again running away with the Scottish Premiership, but more impressive has been their performance in Europe this season. They have benefitted from the new UEFA Champions League format but to do so, they have had to pick up some stellar results, including drawing away at Atalanta and beating RB Leipzig. Brendan Rodgers and his men have earned this playoff, but now they need to go again in undoubtedly the biggest game of their season, feeding off the energy of the home crowd at Parkhead.
Vincent Kompany, in his first season at Bayern Munich, has profited from champions Bayer Leverkusen dropping several levels this season. Nonetheless, his team are eight points clear at the top, having lost only once in the Bundesliga this season, and look almost certain to recapture their crown. In Europe, it's been a mixed bag. They picked up some great wins over PSG, Benfica and others, but were humbled by Barcelona and Feyenoord. They did however bully Dinamo Zagreb and Shakhtar Donetsk and will be confident they can do the same to Celtic.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich Team News
Paulo Bernardo came off early against Raith Rovers last time out and will be on the sidelines for this one, alongside James Forrest who is injured and Daizen Maeda who is still suspended after seeing red against Young Boys earlier in the league phase.
The biggest absence for Vincent Kompany is undoubtedly star full-back Alphonso Davies, while Joao Palhinha and Serge Gnabry are both doubts through illness.
Celtic vs Bayern Munich Possible Lineups
Brendan Rodgers fielded the B-team for the win over Raith Rovers in the cup at the weekend but will revert to his strongest possible lineup here, taking into account injuries and suspensions. Jota could return to Champions League football for Celtic.
Celtic Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Jota
Vincent Kompany has a much bigger Arsenal of world-class talent to choose from when covering his couple of selection issues and will surely lay all that firepower out tonight in a bid to wrap this tie-up in the first leg, before bringing the Glaswegians back to Bavaria.
Bayern Munich Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Boey, Upamecano, Kim Min Jae, Guerreiro; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Coman; Kane
Celtic vs Bayern Munich Prediction
The hosts have a chance to keep themselves in this tie, with the support of the home crowd, but it will be tough. Bayern will likely come away with an advantage but the Parkhead crowd should buoy them on to keep in the fight.
Prediction: Celtic 1 - 2 Bayern Munich
This is the pick of the bunch in Wednesday's four UEFA Champions League playoff ties, a real David vs Goliath battle in front of an atmospheric stadium. What's not to love about this one?
Fans in the UK can watch Celtic vs Bayern on TV or via live stream on TNT Sports.
