Fixture: Valencia v Celtic.
Competition: Europa League, last 32, second leg.
Venue: The Mestalla.
Kick-off time: 5.55pm (BST).
How are Celtic looking?
Not great to be honest. Brendan Rodgers’ side are trailing from the first leg at Parkhead last Thursday night. They have to overcome a two goal deficit away from home in Europe for the first time in their history to progress to the last 32. Oh, and win in Spain for the first time as well. It will be one of their greatest achievements in the 57 years they have been involved in continental competition if they manage to pull it off.
Rodgers had hoped to have Kieran Tierney, who has been sidelined since the Europa League group game against Salzburg back in December available. But this game is going to come too early for the Scotland left back. Either Emilio Izaguirre, who had a disappointing night against Valencia last week, or Jonny Hayes, whose preferred position is on the wing will play in his position.
There have been suggestions that Jeremy Toljan, the Borussia Dortmund defender who is on loan at Celtic until the end of the season, could switch from right to left back, where he has played in the past, and Mikael Lustig brought in. But that would be a huge gamble in a game against a La Liga club on foreign soil.
READ MORE: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers eyeing a slice of history in Valencia
Rodgers is certainly not admitting defeat. Since Marcelino’s men eased to a comfortable win in the first meeting between the two sides he has been insistent that the Scottish champions can go through. He feels that an early goal in the Mestalla could change the feel of the tie and give them a lifeline. But things look ominous.
Celtic haven’t won a knockout game away from home in Europe since beating Boavista 1-0 on their way to the UEFA Cup final in 2003.
Jozo Simunovic, who missed the Ladbrokes Premiership game against Kilmarnock on the artificial surface at Rugby Park on Sunday, returns to the squad and should start the game at centre half alongside Dedryck Boyata.
What shape are Valencia in?
Pretty good. They may have had a disappointing season domestically – they are currently ninth in La Liga after drawing a record 14 league games – but in Europe they have fared well. They are currently on a five game winning streak in the Europa League in the Mestalla and have won those games by an aggregate score of 17-2. They drew 0-0 with Espanyol on Saturday and have failed to score in their last two home games. But they haven’t conceded in their last 270 minutes of football.
READ MORE: Scott Brown knows Celtic must find their A game to beat Valencia and progress
Marcelino’s side play very defensively – they only had 36 per cent possession at Celtic Park last week – and prey on their opponents’ mistakes. They did that to devastating affect in the first leg. Rodgers has stressed to his charges that, as much as they need to score, they can’t make the same errors as they did first time around.
Valencia could hand Goncalo Guedes, their record €40 million summer signing, a start. The winger has played their last three games as a substitute and, with his team two goals ahead, could start the match this evening.
So can Celtic beat Valencia?
It is highly unlikely, but not impossible. Celtic have produced some exceptional performances against top class European opposition during Rodgers’ tenure and have achieved some great results. They beat Anderlecht away in Belgium in the Champions League group stages last season and also beat Bundesliga high flyers RB Leipzig at home in the Europa League group stages this season. But can they pull off an upset without Filip Benkovic, Kieran Tierney and Tom Rogic? The Glasgow club need to be at their strongest to shock sides from bigger and better leagues and without that key trio they are not the same force.
READ MORE: Brendan Rodgers urges his Celtic players to fight to the death against Valencia in the Mestalla
Who are Valencia's key men?
Daniel Parejo. The attacking midfielder has been at Valencia for eight years now and is the man who initiates their forays forward. The Spanish internationalist is also a serious goal threat. He is a dead ball specialist so not conceding free-kicks within shooting range will be important for the hosts. The 29-year-old is a classic No.10 and enjoyed an excellent 45 minutes at Parkhead before being replaced. Scott Brown will have to be at his best to nullify the threat he poses
What is Celtic’s record against Spanish opposition like?
Celtic have never won away from home in Spain in 17 previous attempts. They have lost 14 of those games and drawn just three. They have, too, lost both of their games against Valencia in the Mestalla. They were beaten 4-2 in their first ever European match in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1962 and lost 1-0 in the UEFA Cup in 2001.
So what’s your score prediction?
Valencia 3, Celtic 1.
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