Chelsea vs Celtic Prediction: Given the teams’ recent performances and preseason dynamics, a competitive 2-2 draw seems likely between Chelsea and Celtic, with both sides showcasing their attacking prowess in an evenly-matched encounter.
The blues of London are set to face the green and white hoops of Glasgow as Chelsea and Celtic prepare to square off in a highly anticipated preseason friendly match. The fixture is scheduled to take place at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana on July 27, 2024, with kickoff slated for 8:00 PM local time.
Match Details
| Match | Chelsea vs Celtic |
| Competition | Club Friendlies |
| Date | July 27, 2024 |
| Time | 20:00 UTC |
| Venue | Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame, Indiana) |
Match Preview
Both clubs enter this contest looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of their respective domestic campaigns. Chelsea, under the guidance of new manager Enzo Maresca, will be eager to bounce back from a disappointing previous season. The Premier League side opened their US tour with a 2-2 draw against Wrexham, showcasing both promise and areas for improvement.
Celtic, on the other hand, arrive in Indiana riding a wave of confidence. The Scottish champions have already notched up impressive victories in their preseason, including a thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester City. Manager Brendan Rodgers will be keen to see his side maintain their momentum against top-tier opposition.
Chelsea vs Celtic Lineups and Formations
Predicted Chelsea Lineup (Possible 4-3-3): Sterling, Chilwell, James, Nkunku, Adarabioyo, Gusto, Sanchez, Madueke, Badiashile, Ugochukwu, Nkunku
Celtic (Possible 4-3-3): McGregor, Taylor, O’Riley, Kuhn, Maeda, Welsh, Schmeichel, Furuhashi, Hatate, Scales, Ralston
Injury Updates and Player Availability
Chelsea: Chelsea will be missing several key players due to various reasons:
- Marc Cucurella, Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez are all absent due to international commitments over the summer.
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is working to overcome a knock that kept him out of the Wrexham match. His availability remains uncertain.
- Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia are both expected to receive minutes as they look to put their injury problems behind them.
Celtic: Celtic have not reported any significant injury concerns ahead of the fixture. However, it’s worth noting that:
- Kasper Schmeichel, their recent high-profile signing, is expected to start between the sticks.
- The Scottish side appears to have a fully fit squad to choose from, giving manager Brendan Rodgers plenty of options.
It’s important to note that both teams may rotate their squads extensively, as is common in preseason friendlies.
Where to Watch
US viewers can catch the action on ESPN+, fuboTV, and the ESPN App. Here’s the live stream and TV schedule for other countries:
- UK: Celtic TV
- Australia: Paramount+
- Canada: Not available
- Brazil: Disney+, ESPN
- Spain: Not available
- Germany: Not available
- Italy: Not available
- France: Not available
- Japan: DAZN Japan
- Mexico: ESPN Mexico, Disney+
Form and Recent Results
Chelsea’s form:
- Drew 2-2 with Wrexham in their US tour opener
- Ended their previous Premier League campaign with mixed results
Celtic’s preseason form:
- Beat Manchester City 4-3
- Defeated DC United 4-0
- Won 6-4 against Queen’s Park
- Drew 1-1 with Ayr United
Head-to-Head
This friendly marks a rare meeting between these two storied clubs, with no recent competitive fixtures to draw upon for comparison.
Prediction
Given Celtic’s impressive preseason form and Chelsea’s transitional phase under new management, this match could be closely contested. Both sides have shown their ability to score freely in recent outings, suggesting we might be in for an entertaining, high-scoring affair.
The predicted score, based on recent performances, is a 2-2 draw. This mirrors Chelsea’s result against Wrexham and reflects the potential for an evenly-matched contest. However, Celtic’s recent giant-killing act against Manchester City indicates they’re capable of springing a surprise.
Chelsea vs Celtic Prediction: Chelsea 2-2 Celtic
Key Players to Watch
For Chelsea, all eyes will be on Christopher Nkunku, who opened his account for the club against Wrexham. Celtic’s Nicolas Kuhn, fresh from his brace against Manchester City, could pose a significant threat to the Chelsea defense.
This friendly promises to be an intriguing clash of styles and a valuable exercise for both clubs as they gear up for the challenges that lie ahead in their respective seasons.
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