Celtic Faces Utrecht Challenge in Europa League Test Against Strugglers
Celtic prepares to face FC Utrecht in a crucial Europa League clash. The match is vital for Scottish side Celtic as they aim to extend their campaign in this European competition. They will host Utrecht at Celtic Park, where victory is essential.
Utrecht’s Struggles
FC Utrecht finds itself in dire straits. Currently, they sit third from the bottom of the Europa League table. The team has yet to secure a victory, managing only one point from seven matches. This lone point came against Portuguese league leaders Porto.
Domestic Performance
In the Eredivisie, Utrecht has been struggling as well. After finishing fourth last season, they now occupy the 11th position. They trail by seven points to reach the final European play-off spot. Their recent form is concerning, with five consecutive losses across all competitions.
Recent Matches
- Lost to Genk on matchday seven.
- Exited the Dutch Cup early this month.
- Defeated by Sparta Rotterdam in their latest league fixture.
Player Updates
Utrecht has seen some recent additions but faces challenges. Jesper Karlsson, a former Aberdeen loanee, made his debut against Sparta but is ineligible for the upcoming match. Angel Alarcon, on loan from Porto, also cannot participate.
Despite these losses, Utrecht’s team includes notable players. Vasilis Barkas, a former Celtic goalkeeper, is currently their number one. However, Dutch goalkeeper Michael Brouwer may start in this match.
Threats to Celtic
Utrecht has dangerous players to watch out for. Miguel Rodriguez, a former Celta Vigo winger, and Yoann Catheline, who has experience with Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike, could pose threats to Celtic’s defense.
Historical Context
This matchup marks the third meeting between Celtic and Utrecht. The previous encounters took place in 2010 when Utrecht overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to advance with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
Celtic aims to capitalize on Utrecht’s current struggles. If they have aspirations for a deeper run in the Europa League, this match provides a significant opportunity to secure a win.
