Celtic vs Ferencvaros Predictions
Celtic and Ferencvaros meet as the UEFA Europa League continues on Thursday.
The hosts suffered a dismal defeat last weekend, while Ferencvaros arrive in Glasgow with plenty of confidence after a strong start to their season.
Over 2.5 goals is my best bet, while I also fancy the Hungarians to avoid defeat at Parkhead.
Recent Stats Point to Goals
- Celtic have seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches
- Celtic failed to win 3 of their last 5 home matches (Europa League)
- Ferencvaros have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 5 matches
- Ferencvaros are unbeaten in their last 11 matches
Celtic and Ferencvaros Renew Rivalry
Celtic and Ferencvaros have met on three occasions since 2020. Celtic won two games while Ferencvaros secured one victory.
The Hoops claimed home and away wins in their most recent meetings in the Europa League in 2021, one year after Ferencvaros dumped the Scots out of the Champions League with a 2-1 victory at Parkhead.
Celtic Look For Response
Celtic return to Celtic Park after a disastrous 3-0 defeat against old rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals last weekend.
Dan Neil scored twice for the impressive hosts, while Kevin Kelsy added the third as Celtic struggled to match their rivals’ intensity at Ibrox.
Rangers dominated the contest, with Derek McInnes's men good value for their win at Ibrox. Celtic mustered only four efforts on goal as the Gers secured a place in the League Cup semi-finals.
Sunday’s setback ended Celtic’s perfect domestic start, although Martin O’Neill’s side remain top of the Scottish Premiership after winning each of their first six league matches.
High-scoring outcomes can usually be relied on when the Hoops are involved. At least three goals were scored in all but two of 17 competitive games played since March.
The Scottish champions dropped down to the Europa League after a remarkable qualification defeat against LASK last month. Despite taking a four-goal lead, the Bhoys eventually fell to a 5-4 aggregate defeat in Linz.
Ferencvaros Arrive in Strong Scoring Form
Ferencvaros travel to Glasgow after an emphatic 7-0 victory at Debreceni EAC in the Hungarian Cup.
Matus Bero scored twice inside the opening eight minutes before completing his hat-trick in the second half as Ferencvaros secured another convincing domestic victory.
The Hungarian champions were ruthless in front of goal, converting 33% of their total shots at DEAC Stadion.
The free-scoring visitors have now scored 18 goals while winning four of their last five matches.
Last weekend’s big win extended the Fradi’s unbeaten run to 11 matches while they have lost only one of 19 competitive fixtures since April.
Balazs Borbely’s side came through four rounds of Europa League qualifiers to secure their place in the league phase.
Ferencvaros eliminated Vojvodina, Twente and Gornik before a sensational 5-1 aggregate win against Trabzonspor.
Celtic vs Ferencvaros Team News
Celtic: (4-2-3-1) Viljami Sinisalo; Colby Donovan, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney; Callum McGregor, Mika Baur; Haissem Hassan, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti; Camilo Duran.
Celtic boss O’Neill has several players missing for Thursday’s Europa League contest. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended, while Alistair Johnston remains unavailable with a hamstring injury.
Callum Osmand is sidelined with an ankle problem while Jota continues his recovery from an ACL injury. Yang Hyun-Jun is unavailable due to international duty.
Camilo Duran is likely to lead the line after Kasper Hogh’s anonymous display at Ibrox.
Speaking after Celtic’s 3-0 defeat at Ibrox, veteran manager Martin O’Neill admitted that his side had been second best during a chastening afternoon in Glasgow.
“We were well beaten. The 3-0 scoreline doesn't hide it; it was a tough afternoon for us.
"We were well in the game early on, even at half time, but they were stronger than us on the day, and they deserved to win.
"I think throughout the first half we, in really good positions, gave the ball away; we had three or four brilliant opportunities on the counter-attack and wasted them.”
Ferencvaros: (4-2-3-1) Denes Dibusz; Oliver Nagy, Toon Raemaekers, Mariano Gomez, Cadu; Marius Corbu, Adam Nagy; Bamidele Yusuf, Kristoffer Zachariassen, Callum O’Dowda; Lenny Joseph.
Ferencvaros boss Borbely reported no injury issues ahead of Thursday’s Europa League encounter.
Lenny Joseph has failed to score in his last seven appearances, but is expected to lead the Hungarians' attack in Glasgow.