Stuttgart return to the Mercedes-Benz-Arena with the memory of a commanding 4-1 away win over Celtic fresh in their minds, setting the stage for a fascinating UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday, 26 February at 17:45.
The German side’s attacking balance, midfield goal threat and defensive superiority put them in pole position, while Celtic arrive searching for answers after failing to keep a single clean sheet in Europe this season.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on Stuttgart’s recent dominance and superior attacking numbers, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in Stuttgart to win, given their efficiency in front of goal and Celtic’s struggles at the back.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart to Win | 2/5 @ Bet365 (71.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | We’re backing Stuttgart to win because they have outscored Celtic comfortably (19 vs 14 in Europe), enjoy a higher xG and possession rate, and have already beaten Celtic 4-1 away in the first leg. Celtic’s lack of clean sheets further tilts the balance. |
| Anytime Scorer: Ermedin Demirović | 21/20 @ SkyBet | ⭐⭐⭐ | Demirović has been a consistent threat for Stuttgart, contributing to a multi-pronged attack that has produced 19 goals in Europe. With Celtic conceding 15 goals in 8 games, he’s well placed to find the net. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Season Form & Standings
These two sides finished 10 places apart in the group stage, with both entering the playoff phase. Stuttgart took immediate control of the contest with a 4-1 first leg victory and it’ll take something special from Celtic if they wish to advance.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stuttgart | 11 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 15 |
| Celtic | 21 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 15 | -2 | 11 |
Potential Match-Winners
- Ermedin Demirović (Stuttgart): The Bosnian striker is a focal point in Stuttgart’s fluid attack and is central to their 19-goal tally in this competition. His movement and involvement in build-up play make him a likely scoring threat.
- Chris Führich (Stuttgart): A midfielder with an eye for goal, Führich is part of a Stuttgart engine room that has produced 8 goals from midfield in Europe, offering box-to-box threat and late runs into the area.
- Callum McGregor (Celtic): Celtic’s captain and midfield dynamo, McGregor is heavily involved in both phases and will be key to any Celtic resistance or counter-attacking opportunities.
- Daizen Maeda (Celtic): Known for his direct running, he provides energy and unpredictability in the final third, critical for Celtic if they’re to breach Stuttgart’s back line.
Head-to-Head: Last 3 Meetings
There has only been three previous meetings between these sides, with Stuttgart running out comfortable 4-1 winners away in Glasgow last week.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 19/02/26 | Celtic 1-4 Stuttgart | UEFA Europa League |
| 27/02/03 | Stuttgart 3-2 Celtic | UEFA Europa League |
| 20/02/03 | Celtic 3-1 Stuttgart | UEFA Europa League |
Conclusion: Can Celtic Turn the Tide?
Stuttgart’s all-round superiority, highlighted by their away win in the first leg and their more consistent European form, makes them deserved favourites heading into the home tie. With creative threats across midfield and attack and a defence that has twice kept opponents scoreless, they’re built to control games. Celtic, for all their attacking intent, have struggled to keep things tight and will need a dramatic improvement at the back to stand any chance of overturning the deficit. With Stuttgart’s win price at 2/5 @ Bet365 (71.4%), it’s hard to look beyond another victory for the Bundesliga side.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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