Celtic will aim to secure a spot in the Europa League knockout stage with a win over Utrecht on Thursday night.

Martin O’Neill’s side boosted their chances of extending their stay in Europe's secondary club competition with a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Bologna last week.

That result means Celtic come into their final league phase fixture with their destiny in their own hands, knowing a victory would see them progress to the playoff round.

Utrecht, by contrast, travel to Glasgow with little at stake beyond pride, as they are sitting 34th with just a single point.

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📈 Celtic v Utrecht Form & Tactics

On paper, Celtic’s 2-2 draw at Bologna last week looks like a positive result. In reality, though, the Bhoys would have been disappointed not to bank all three points after leading 2-0, only for Reo Hatate’s first-half red card to change the game. Still, the Glasgow heavyweights head into their final league phase fixture with their destiny in their own hands, knowing a win would secure a playoff spot.

Celtic were involved in another 2-2 draw on Sunday when being held by Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. The stalemate leaves Celtic six points adrift of the league leaders, while Rangers have leapfrogged them as the title race heats up.

The hosts are still searching for their first clean sheet in this season’s Europa League, with five of their seven fixtures featuring goals at both ends.

Celtic have received a red card in each of their last two matches.

Utrecht have endured a disastrous Europa League campaign, losing six of their seven league phase assignments, including each of their last three. Consequently, Thursday is little more than a dead rubber for Ron Jans’ side, with any hopes of progression long gone.

The visitors’ struggles stretch beyond Europe. Utrecht arrive in Glasgow on the back of three straight Eredivisie defeats, most recently losing 1-0 at home to Sparta Rotterdam. Stuck in mid-table, Utrecht are treading water, while manager Jans is under pressure amid unrest from supporters calling for change.

Five of Utrecht’s seven Europa League matches have produced under 2.5 goals, though both teams found the net in three of their last four fixtures. The Dutch side have struggled to win corners on the continent this season, averaging just 3.85 per game and mustering up three or fewer in three of their last four matches.

📔 Celtic v Utrecht Formation & Team News

Since resuming his role as interim manager earlier this month, Martin O’Neill has returned Celtic to a 4-3-3 formation.

Kelechi Iheanacho has returned to first-team training and is edging closer to a comeback, but Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota and Marcelo Saracchi all remain sidelined. Additionally, Johnny Kenny is a doubt after picking up a thigh strain during last week’s 2-2 draw with Bologna.

Reo Hatate will be forced to watch from the sidelines following his red card last Thursday, while new signing Tomas Cvancara is also unavailable, having joined during the current transfer window and therefore ineligible to play.

Ron Jans is expected to set Utrecht up in his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation for what will be his side's final continental contest of the campaign.

With little more than pride at stake, the Utrecht boss may opt to shuffle his pack at Parkhead on Thursday night. Jans won’t be able to call on David Min and Victor Jensen, both of whom are sidelined with injuries, while Emirhan Demircan’s fitness is in doubt.

Jesper Karlsson, a January recruit, will be unable to take part for the visitors.

🔮 Football Predictions at Andy's Bet Club

Keep up with Andy's Tips, including Europa League Predictions for this weekend, on Andy's Bet Club.

For Thursday's football, we also have a Europa League Accumulator, as well as betting previews for specific games, including Lazio v Genoa Predictions and Aston Villa v RB Salzburg Predictions, as well as Nottingham Forest v Ferencvaros Betting Tips and Porto v Rangers Betting Predictions.

We also have Over 2.5 Goals Tips for Thursday's action.

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