Stuttgart vs Celtic predictions and betting tips – Mission impossible for the Bhoys?

What a difference seven days makes. This time last week, Celtic were right back in the Scottish Premiership race and were tipped at 2/1 to beat Stuttgart in their knockout playoff round first leg tie.

But fast-forward a matter of days, they lost to 2-1 to Hibernian in the league to fall further behind leaders Hearts and their Europa League campaign is hanging by a thread after a 4-1 home loss to Stuttgart.

Can manager Martin O’Neil inspire a modern-day classic comeback or will their European adventure end in Germany?

• Both teams to score – Yes – 4/7 with Betfred
• First team to score – Celtic – 2/1 with Midnite
• Anytime goalscorer – Tomas Cvancara – was 9/5 NOW 2/1 with Midnite

Stuttgart vs Celtic odds

Find the latest Stuttgart vs Celtic betting odds here. All odds are provided by Betfred and our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

• Stuttgart – 2/5
• Draw – 9/2
• Celtic – 9/2

Stuttgart vs Celtic predictions

Our man Greg Lea said last week ‘Celtic have really put their fans through the emotional wringer this season.’ And he’s not wrong.

After beating Kilmarnock last weekend, they went favourites to win the Scottish Premiership, but with Sunday’s loss to Hibernian – the Bhoys are back out to 2/1 and third in the running behind Hearts and arch-rivals Rangers.

Despite having a game in hand over the top two, it leaves them in a perilous position of effectively having no more room for error in the title race.

You may think the Europa League could offer some welcome respite for the Bhoys. A first-leg home tie against Stuttgart to put one foot into the last 16.

But after a 4-1 thrashing at Celtic Park ensued, O’Neill faces a three-goal deficit and one of the club’s greatest European comebacks is required to advance to the last 16.

These two clubs do have history in European competition. The 2003 UEFA Cup, with Celtic winning 5-1 on aggregate at one stage in the tie, before holding on to a 5-4 aggregate victory.

You could copy and paste, O’Neill’s comments pre-first leg defeat and the Celtic manager’s words still be as relevant now as it was then. So here we go.

“Obviously it’s against my nature [to abandon a tournament],” O’Neill said post-Kilmarnock. “But if you want to be really honest about it, there’s some big, big teams still in that competition and it’s a long way from home as well.

“If you went through against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga, you’re still talking about [going] into the last 16. That seems like miles away. If it was a bit closer, you know, then you could think about it. But just having said this, I wouldn’t want to give it up.”

The nature of last Thursday’s defeat does indicate O’Neill will ring the changes and go all in on the Premiership.

Stuttgart vs Celtic betting tips

Celtic travel to Stuttgart with a three-goal deficit to overcome on Thursday. But will they go hell for leather or decide to cut their losses and focus on their league campaign?

Fast start from Celtic?

O’Neill’s starting lineup will be key in identifying how the club see their fate in the Europe this season.

But regardless, they’ll be players wanting to impress to fight for places in the league matches.

Coupled with Stuttgart seemingly being able to taste the last sixteen, it could mean Celtic can catch the German club off guard and open the scoring.

Where’s the value?

While Stuttgart should be able to manage this game and qualify for the next round. Goals could well be the order of day on Thursday night.

Celtic loan striker Daniel Cvancara boldly made claims about his long-term plans to sign for the Hoops permanently.

He said: “If I’m good enough, my goal is to convince the club and the board that they have to sign me.

“I’m happy that I’m now at a new club that trusts me and where I can show what I’m capable of.”

If he can be the hero on Thursday, they may just have the contract ready for him post-match.

Stuttgart vs Celtic predicted lineups

• Stuttgart expected lineup: Nubel; Assignon, Jeltsch, Chabot, Mittelstadt; Karazor, Andres; El Khannouss, Undav, Fuhrich; Demirovic.
• Celtic expected lineup: Sinisalo; Araujo, Murray, Scales, Saracchi; Holm, McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Adamu, Cvancara, Forrest.

Where to watch Stuttgart vs Celtic

• Location: MHPArena, Stuttgart, Germany
• Date and time: Thursday 19th February, 5:45pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 2

More Europa League predictions

We have plenty more Europa League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

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