Celtic vs Beşiktaş Predicted Lineups: UEFA Europa League Insights

Celtic welcome Beşiktaş to Celtic Park in a UEFA Europa League league-stage clash that already feels pivotal, even with both sides yet to kick a ball in this season’s competition. The Scottish side sit 9th in the overall league-stage ranking with 0 points and no games played, officially marked in the “Play Offs” zone, while Beşiktaş are 5th, also on 0 points and 0 games, but coming in with far stronger recent competitive form across all competitions.

With the new league-stage format placing every point at a premium, this meeting could shape the trajectory of both clubs’ European campaigns. Beşiktaş arrive with excellent recent momentum – their broader league form reads “WWWWWL” – while Celtic are something of an unknown quantity at this level in 2026, with no recorded form string yet. That uncertainty makes the predicted lineups especially important for understanding how this match might unfold, as both managers look to balance early-tournament caution with the need to seize control of their Europa League destiny.

Prediction models rate this as a very even contest, assigning 33% to a Celtic win, 33% to a draw and 33% to a Beşiktaş victory. With no clear favourite and no confirmed official lineups at this stage, analysing the squads, key performers and likely tactical setups is the best way to anticipate how the starting lineup for each side may look.

Celtic Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no officially listed injuries or suspensions for Celtic ahead of this Europa League fixture. With no significant absences reported, the manager has the luxury of a full squad to choose from, which increases competition for places but also makes predicting the exact XI more challenging. Still, the spine is likely to be built around experienced domestic performers and a blend of youthful energy and European know‑how.

Celtic’s league-stage form line is not yet established, but their defensive unit looks well stocked, and the midfield group is deep with options who can control possession and press aggressively. Expect an approach that leans on a strong home atmosphere at Celtic Park, with an attacking-minded shape that pushes full-backs high and uses technically capable midfielders like C. McGregor and A. Oxlade-Chamberlain to connect play. The expected lineup should reflect a balance between structure and attacking ambition, particularly in wide and advanced areas.

Celtic Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: V. Sinisalo
DF: A. Johnston; C. Carter-Vickers; L. Scales; K. Tierney
MF: C. McGregor; A. Oxlade-Chamberlain; O. Sørensen; Yang Hyun-Jun; L. McCowan
FW: K. Høgh

In goal, V. Sinisalo is a logical choice as a primary shot-stopper, with R. Doohan and S. Johnstone providing depth. At the back, a central pairing of C. Carter-Vickers and L. Scales offers physicality and aerial strength, while A. Johnston and K. Tierney are natural picks in the full-back roles, both capable of overlapping and contributing to the build-up. This back line should allow Celtic to maintain a compact defensive block while still offering width in possession.

In midfield, C. McGregor remains the natural organiser at the base or in a central role, dictating tempo and recycling possession. A. Oxlade-Chamberlain adds European experience and ball-carrying threat between the lines, while O. Sørensen can provide energy and pressing intensity. Yang Hyun-Jun and L. McCowan are strong candidates to operate in advanced or wide midfield zones, tasked with linking midfield to the front line and attacking half-spaces. Up front, K. Høgh stands out among the attackers as a focal point, supported by options such as B. Nygren, Shumaira Mheuka and C. Durán from the bench if Celtic need to change the dynamic. With no clear Europa League top scorers or assist leaders from Celtic yet, this predicted lineup leans on positional balance and seniority rather than continental statistics.

Beşiktaş Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Beşiktaş also have no officially listed injuries or suspensions for this fixture, meaning no significant absences reported. That gives them the opportunity to field a near full-strength side, and their excellent recent form – five wins and one loss in their last six league fixtures – suggests a settled core. Their league form string “WWWWWL” underlines how well they have been performing domestically and in recent matches overall.

With lineups today expected to reflect their strong run, Beşiktaş are likely to stay close to the structures that have brought success. Their recent tactical profile in the competition shows frequent use of shapes with a single pivot and attacking lines of three or four behind a central striker. The presence of O. Kö̈kçü̈ as both a top scorer and top assist provider in this Europa League season, plus the defensive influence of Tiago Djaló, should heavily influence the predicted starting lineup.

Beşiktaş Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Nübel
DF: E. Agbadou; Tiago Djaló; A. Murillo; R. Yılmaz
MF: W. Ndidi; S. Özcan; O. Kö̈kçü̈; K. Yılmaz; V. Černý
FW: D. Vlahović

In goal, A. Nübel is the standout choice given his experience, with D. Alemdar and E. Yasar as capable backups. The defensive line is anchored by Tiago Djaló, who features in the Europa League top scorers, yellow cards and red cards lists for Beşiktaş, signalling his importance and aggressive style at the back. Partnering him, E. Agbadou and A. Murillo provide height and strength, while R. Yılmaz offers dynamism and forward thrust from full-back. This unit underpins a side that has conceded only 1 goal in its last 6 league matches and kept 5 clean sheets.

In midfield, W. Ndidi is the natural screening presence in front of the defence, breaking up play and protecting transitions. S. Özcan and K. Yılmaz can operate as shuttlers or central creators, but the key figure is O. Kö̈kçü̈. He leads Beşiktaş in this Europa League campaign with 2 goals and appears among the top assist contributors, making him the central creative and goal-scoring threat from midfield. V. Černý adds technical quality and cutting inside from wide areas. Up front, D. Vlahović profiles as the main centre-forward, supported by a deep attacking bench including S. Kılıçsoy, M. Rashica, E. Poku and Oh Hyeon-Gyu, all of whom can change the game state if Beşiktaş need extra pace or directness.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no officially listed injuries or suspensions for either side, this match is set up as a rare full-strength European encounter. The absence of enforced changes means both managers can focus on tactical choices rather than patching gaps, which should raise the overall quality and intensity of the contest.

Celtic Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Beşiktaş Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, Celtic’s predicted lineup looks geared towards using the Celtic Park atmosphere to drive an aggressive, front-foot performance. With overlapping full-backs like A. Johnston and K. Tierney and a midfield trio built around C. McGregor’s distribution and A. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s vertical running, the hosts should seek to dominate possession phases and pin Beşiktaş back, especially in the early stages. The wide midfielders Yang Hyun-Jun and L. McCowan will be crucial in isolating Beşiktaş full-backs and providing service into K. Høgh, whose hold-up play and penalty-box presence will be vital.

Beşiktaş, however, bring the stronger recent record. Their league statistics show 8 goals scored and just 1 conceded across 6 fixtures, with an attacking pattern that spreads goals throughout the 90 minutes and a defence that rarely allows clear chances. The predicted midfield of W. Ndidi, S. Özcan and K. Yılmaz, with O. Kö̈kçü̈ floating between lines, gives them a powerful mix of ball-winning and creativity. O. Kö̈kçü̈ in particular will look to exploit any space between Celtic’s midfield and defence, feeding D. Vlahović and combining with V. Černý on the flanks. The key tactical battle is likely to be Celtic’s wide attacking lanes against Beşiktaş’s compact central block and disciplined back line led by Tiago Djaló. If Celtic’s full-backs get too high, Beşiktaş have the pace and technical quality to counter quickly through Černý, Rashica or S. Kılıçsoy.

Match Prediction and Verdict

With both sides at full strength and no clear favourite from the prediction models, this has the profile of a tight, high-level Europa League contest. Celtic’s home advantage and attacking intent should ensure they create chances, but Beşiktaş’s recent form – five wins in their last six league games, strong defensive numbers and the presence of a proven Europa League contributor in O. Kö̈kçü̈ – suggests they will be very difficult to beat.

The prediction metrics give 33% to each of a home win, draw and away win, underlining just how finely balanced this matchup appears. Given Beşiktaş’s defensive solidity and Celtic’s likely willingness to take risks in front of their own fans, a score draw feels a reasonable expectation, with both teams’ key creators – McGregor and Oxlade-Chamberlain for Celtic, Kö̈kçü̈ and Černý for Beşiktaş – capable of decisive contributions.

Predicted Outcome: Celtic 1–1 Beşiktaş

How to Watch Celtic vs Beşiktaş Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform
• UK: Major pay-TV sports channel or official UEFA streaming partner
• USA / North America: Regional soccer network or premium streaming service
• South America: Continental sports network or national broadcaster
• MENA: Regional satellite sports network or digital platform