Celtic vs Sturm Graz kick-off, date & TV info
Date Thursday, October 23
Kick-off 8pm
Venue Celtic Park, Glasgow
Competition Europa League
TV TNT Sports 2
Celtic have had a poor start to the season, failing to win any of their European games, and currently sitting five points adrift of William Hill Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts following a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Dundee at the weekend.
The Hoops will be desperate for a first Europa League victory when they host Sturm Graz, who beat the Hoops’ rivals Rangers 2-1 last time out.
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Celtic vs Sturm Graz betting tips & predictions
Best bet
Sturm Graz or draw double chance
2pts 8-5 BoyleSports
Player cards
Toki Chukwuani to be shown a card
9-4 bet365, BoyleSports
Longshot
Tomi Horvat anytime goalscorer
7-1 bet365
Celtic vs Sturm Graz preview
In the eight months following their narrow defeat to Bayern Munich in the knockout stages of the Champions League last season, Celtic have been on a seemingly unstoppable downward spiral.
The Bhoys lost the Scottish Cup final to Aberdeen, were knocked out of Champions League qualifying by Kazakh side Kairat Almaty and are now five points adrift of Hearts in the William Hill Scottish Premiership after losing 2-0 to strugglers Dundee at the weekend.
Brendan Rodgers’ men are yet to win any of their four European fixtures this season and have failed to score in three of their last four matches as they host Sturm Graz in this crucial Europa League clash.
Celtic have won three of their last nine games, but one of those victories was a League Cup win over Championship side Partick Thistle and the other two required 96th and 92nd-minute winners over Kilmarnock and Motherwell.
A 3-0 win over Livingston in August is the last time that the Bhoys have looked convincing and they face a tough test against their Austrian opponents on Thursday.
Sturm Graz have won six of their last seven games in all competitions, including a 2-1 win over Celtic’s rivals Rangers earlier this month.
The visitors are top of the Austrian standings as they aim for their third title in a row, ending RB Salzburg’s ten-year domination of their domestic competition.
Sturm Graz Head Coach Jurgen Saumel saw his side beat Rangers earlier in OctoberCredit: SNS Group via Getty Images
Jurgen Saumel’s side lost their Europa League opener away to Midtjylland despite winning the shot count and having a higher expected-goals tally than their Danish opponents and they have won all six of their road games domestically.
With fan protests disrupting Celtic’s weekend loss to Dundee, things are not looking good on or off the pitch for the Glasgow giants.
Benjamin Nygren is the only one of the Hoops’ summer signings to impress so far and there are reports of a rift between Rodgers and the board.
With a huge clash against leaders Hearts looming at the weekend, Celtic can ill-afford not to win this game but there have been few signs of confidence in recent weeks and Sturm Graz are fancied to at least avoid defeat.
Chukwuani a card magnet
Tochi Chukwuani is an integral part of Sturm Graz’s midfield but he has a habit of attracting the referee’s attention.
Chukwuani has been booked five times in ten games this season and looks a fair price to pick up another.
Horvat the visitors’ danger man
A versatile player who can feature in either midfield or further forward, Tomi Horvat scored against Rangers recently and leads Sturm Graz in shots and shots on target this term.
Horvat has three goals for the season and is overpriced to add to that tally.
Celtic vs Sturm Graz Bet Builder
Sturm Graz or draw double chance
Sturm Graz have won six of their last seven games and can capitalise on an out-of-form Celtic side to at least avoid defeat.
Kelechi Iheanacho to have two or more shots on target
Kelechi Iheanacho had three shots on target in Celtic’s opening Europa League game and is expected to lead the line in this one.
Over 1.5 goals
11 of Sturm Graz’s 13 games this season have gone over 1.5 goals and this looks set to follow suit.
Pays out at 6-1 with bet365
Key stats for Celtic vs Sturm Graz
♦ Celtic have won only three of their last nine games
♦ Sturm Graz have won six of their last seven games
♦ Celtic are yet to win any of their four European games this season
♦ Six of Celtic’s last eight games have gone under 2.5 goals
♦ The Bhoys have failed to score in three of their last four outings
Celtic vs Sturm Graz betting odds
Sign up with bet365 to bet on Celtic vs Sturm Graz in the Europa League. Here are the latest odds for Thursday’s match.
Odds correct at time of publishing
Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport’s tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.
Celtic vs Sturm Graz team news and predicted line-ups
Celtic
Daizen Maeda, Jota and Paulo Bernardo remain out. Alistair Johnston has been passed fit but Anthony Ralston and Hyun-Jun Yang were taken off at half-time on Sunday so it is hard to see them starting on Thursday.
Predicted line-up (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Hatate, McGregor, Nygren; Forrest, Iheanacho, Tounekti
Subs: Engels, Ralston, Yang, Balikwisha, McCowan, Saracchi, Johnston
Sturm Graz
Belmin Beganovic, Oliver Christensen and Daniil Khudyakov are all expected to miss out through injury although Arjan Malic, Filip Rozga and Axel Kayombo are all fit again.
Predicted line-up (4-3-1-2): Bignetti; Oermann, Aiwu, Lavalee, Karic; Horvat, Stankovic, Chukwuani; Kiteishvili; Malone, Jatta
Subs: Kayombo, Hodl, Grgic, Rozga, Mitchell, Malic, Hierlander
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FAQs for Celtic vs Sturm Graz
When is Celtic vs Sturm Graz in the Europa League?
The match kicks off at 8pm on Thursday, October 23.
Where is Celtic vs Sturm Graz being played?
Thursday’s game is taking place at Celtic Park in Glasgow.
Where can I watch Celtic vs Sturm Graz?
There is live coverage of Celtic vs Sturm Graz on TNT Sports 2.
What is the match betting for Celtic vs Sturm Graz?
Despite their struggles, Celtic are 1-2 to win the game, while Sturm Graz are 19-4 and the draw is 7-2.
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