Bayern Munich vs. Celtic | Champions League | Knockout Round PLayoffs | Pre Match

Celtic face an uphill battle on Tuesday at Allianz Arena, where they have to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit away from home against Bayern Munich to reach the Champions League round of 16.

Harry Kane and Michael Olise gave Bayern a two-goal advantage at Celtic Park last Wednesday, but Celtic's Daizen Maeda halved the scoreline with just over 10 minutes remaining to give the Scottish champions a glimmer of hope. The visitors will take inspiration from their attacking display in the first leg, as they produced eight attempts from inside the penalty area compared to Bayern's six, and their xG of 1.37 surpassed that of their German counterparts, who managed only 0.7 xG. However, the hosts were arguably fortunate to have taken a lead into the second leg, and they will be determined to prove their superiority on home soil.

Bayern also rode their luck during their 0-0 draw with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, a match in which Xabi Alonso's side limited the Bavarians to just two shots, none of which were on target. Leverkusen, on the other hand, hit the woodwork twice and squandered several golden opportunities in front of goal. Despite this, Bayern boss Vincent Kompany will likely dismiss any concerns over the performance, as his team currently sits eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga. Moreover, Kompany can point to Bayern's exceptional goal-scoring record, with the side netting three or more goals in eight of their last 14 outings across all competitions. Their league tally of 65 goals remains unmatched in the German top flight, and they will be confident in their ability to outscore their Scottish opponents once more.

The weekend draw marked the first time Bayern had failed to secure victory in six matches, and it was only the second occasion in their last 11 games where they failed to win. Despite this minor setback, Bayern remain unbeaten in their last 20 Champions League home games, drawing only four of those encounters. This remarkable home form makes them heavy favorites to advance to the next stage.

Meanwhile, Celtic demonstrated their attacking intent in the first leg, particularly on counter-attacks, and could have taken the lead inside 30 seconds if not for Adam Idah being adjudged offside and obstructing Manuel Neuer's view of Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn's long-range effort. Although they fell short in the first encounter, Brendan Rodgers' men will not be intimidated by the challenge ahead. However, history does not favor the Scottish side, as they have failed to win any of their previous five meetings with Bayern, suffering four defeats and managing just one draw.

In domestic competition, Celtic are currently dominating the Scottish Premiership, holding 69 points and maintaining a comfortable 13-point lead over second-placed Rangers. Their loss against Bayern last week remains the only match in their last five where they failed to score at least three goals, underlining their potent attacking form. On Saturday, they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Dundee United in the league, further strengthening their momentum heading into the crucial European fixture. The Bhoys have won nine of their last 12 matches, though two of their three defeats during this period came in the Champions League—against Aston Villa on January 29 and against Bayern in the first leg.

While Celtic have been in impressive domestic form, their away record tells a different story. Rodgers' side have won only twice in their last seven away matches, suffering two losses and three draws. More worryingly, their record in the Champions League on the road is bleak—they are winless in their last 12 away games in the competition, losing eight and drawing four. This unenviable statistic will be a major concern as they attempt to turn the tie around in Munich.

Bayern Munich approach this fixture with an almost fully fit squad. Left-back Alphonso Davies and backup goalkeeper Daniel Peretz are the only confirmed absentees for the hosts. In defense, Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae are expected to form the central partnership, flanked by full-backs Raphael Guerreiro and Josip Stanisic. The attacking lineup will be spearheaded by Harry Kane, who is set to lead Bayern's forward line, supported by the creative trio of Michael Olise, Jamal Musiala, and Kingsley Coman. With such attacking firepower at his disposal, Kompany will expect his team to put the game beyond Celtic’s reach early on.

On the other hand, Celtic will be missing winger James Forrest, who remains sidelined with a foot injury and is not expected to return until late February. Midfielder Paulo Bernardo is also ruled out due to an ankle issue, with his recovery expected to extend until mid-March. Given the one-goal deficit, Rodgers may opt for an attacking approach, potentially deploying Jota in a front three alongside Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda. In midfield, Callum McGregor is likely to anchor the play, with Arne Engels and Reo Hatate positioned as advanced midfielders to provide creativity and control in possession.

Celtic will need to produce a near-flawless performance if they are to upset the odds and progress to the next stage. A disciplined defensive setup, coupled with clinical finishing in the final third, will be key to their chances. Rodgers’ men must also be wary of Bayern’s transition play, as the hosts have the pace and precision to punish any lapse in concentration. Should Celtic manage to contain Bayern’s attacking threats and capitalize on their own opportunities, they may yet pull off a famous comeback. However, with Bayern’s formidable home record and attacking prowess, the German champions remain firm favorites to advance.