Regardless of a 4-2 defeat in opposition to Aston Villa within the last gameweek of the Champions League group league, have certified for the knockout section playoffs and are set to lock horns with Bayern Munich in a battle to safe a Spherical of 16 spot. However they have to first concentrate on a couple of home encounters beginning with Sunday afternoon’s Motherwell conflict at Fir Park.
The Properly, at present fifth within the Premiership standings, suffered defeats each house and away in opposition to the league leaders to date this season. Additionally they sustained back-to-back defeats in opposition to bottom-placed St Johnstone of their previous two video games, and it will be a colossal job for Stuart Kettlewell’s males to script an upset no matter their 2-2 house draw in opposition to Rangers on New Yr’s Eve.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face MotherwellDefence
Brendan Rodgers has rotated his outfield gamers however depends on veteran Kasper Schmeichel who was roped in as a like-for-like alternative for Joe Hart. He has not secured a clear sheet on the highway since a stalemate in opposition to Dundee United earlier than Christmas and it stays to be seen whether or not the hosts check him sufficient between the sticks.
Barcelona ended Alex Valle’s mortgage deal in favour of a transfer to Como. Rodgers, subsequently, would financial institution on Greg Taylor down the left for the rest of the season until he persuades Arsenal to deliver Kieran Tierney again at Parkhead earlier than Monday’s deadline. Liam Scales featured in deep defence in opposition to the Villans amid Cameron Carter-Vickers’ damage absence. However the USMNT centre-back has from his niggle and is anticipated to associate with fellow countryman Auston Trusty this weekend. In the meantime, the proper fullback position belongs to Alistair Johnston who has taken Anthony Ralston out of the equation.
Midfield
Celtic rely closely on skipper Callum McGregor as they don’t have an outright different to the skilled Scotsman. He should function from the bottom along with his technicality, imaginative and prescient and game-reading traits, nonetheless, the gaffer ought to go for rotation and relaxation Arne Engels and Reo Hatate in favour of Luke McCowan and Paulo Bernardo. They need to preserve composure in the course of the park in addition to provide their presence in and across the attacking third with box-to-box actions and down-the-middle runs.
Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure leaves the Hoops with Irish pair Adam Idah and Johnny Kenny because the centre-forward choices. James Forrest is sidelined with a long-term damage woe, however Jota’s return has additional bolstered the Bhoys down the extensive. Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda ought to occupy the beginning slots however the Portuguese ace, together with Yang Hyun-Jun and Luis Palma, might be concerned as second-half substitutes. Idah, who netted a quick-fire double in opposition to Villa, should seize his alternatives now because the Celts’ ‘quantity 9’ throughout competitions.
