Celtic vs Sturm Graz predictions: Austrians can add to entertaining Glasgow encounter
James Mason
Celtic are 28th in the League Phase standings
Sturm Graz occupy 22nd position
Recommended bet: Over 1.5 Sturm Graz goals
Celtic will be looking to bounce back from Sunday's shock defeat at Dundee when they welcome Sturm Graz to Parkhead for Europa League action on Thursday evening.
The Hoops have now lost two of their last three matches, having also gone down 2-0 to Braga on matchday two in Europe, and there is a bit of pressure building on manager Brendan Rodgers.
Team news
Celtic are set to be without the quartet of Daizen Maeda, Alistair Johnston, Jota and Paulo Bernardo due to fitness issues.
After the defeat at Dundee, Rodgers could decide to freshen things up and bring in the likes of James Forrest, Arne Engels and Michel-Ange Balikwisha.
Sturm Graz are expected to be missing the injured trio of Belmin Beganovic, Daniil Khudyakov and Oliver Christensen.
The latest Celtic vs Sturm Graz odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
This will be the first competitive meeting between these two sides, with the only previous encounter a 1-0 friendly win for Celtic back in 2016.
That friendly success was the first game Rodgers won as Celtic manager.
Celtic have won four, drawn two and lost one of their seven home assignments this season.
Sturm Graz are top of the Austrian Bundesliga, collecting 21 points from their opening nine matches.
Die Schwoazn have already beaten one Scottish Premiership side this season, having overcome Rangers 2-1 at home.
The latest Celtic vs Sturm Graz odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Celtic's recent form will be a concern for Rodgers, who has seen his side draw two, lose two and win just one of their last five matches, and Thursday's visit of Sturm Graz presents a difficult challenge.
The Austrian Bundesliga leaders are on a four-game winning streak and they have already proven too good for one half of the Old Firm in matchday two of this competition.
Sturm Graz also scored four times in Sunday's 4-3 win over Blau Weiss Linz, meaning they have now netted at least twice in five of their last seven fixtures, and that attacking prowess could be on full show at Parkhead.
Celtic have conceded twice in each of their last three assignments and the poor defensive displays are costing the Hoops, who have collected just one point from their two League Phase matches.
An open game is expected in Glasgow and Sturm Graz have the quality to punish a sloppy Celtic backline.
