Celtic are still struggling to find their rhythm both domestically and in Europe, while red-hot Sturm Graz travel to Glasgow full of confidence after four straight wins — including a statement victory over Rangers. The Austrian champions now aim to take down another Scottish giant.
Celtic
Currently second in the Scottish Premiership with 17 points from eight matches, Celtic are enduring a turbulent spell. They sit five points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian and have won just once in their last five outings — a narrow 3:2 success against Motherwell. Their European form has been even more concerning: a 1:1 draw with Crvena Zvezda followed by a 0:2 defeat to Braga, conceding twice from limited opposition chances (xGA 1.09). The early Champions League qualifying elimination by Kairat (0:0, 2:3 on penalties) still lingers, and Brendan Rodgers is under mounting pressure. Defensive issues remain glaring — only one clean sheet in their last five matches across all competitions.
Sturm Graz
Sturm sit top of the Austrian Bundesliga with 21 points from nine matches and are enjoying an excellent run. Four consecutive wins, including a memorable 2:1 victory over Rangers in the Europa League, underline their momentum. They boast the league’s best defence with just seven goals conceded and have built a reputation for their disciplined shape and sharp counter-attacks. Despite a slow start in Europe — a 0:2 defeat to Midtjylland despite winning the xG battle (0.90 vs 0.56) — their response against Rangers showcased their resilience and tactical maturity.
Celtic vs Sturm Graz Prediction
Celtic’s form and defensive instability make them vulnerable, even at home. Sturm Graz’s compact defensive structure and pace on the break could easily frustrate the hosts. The Austrians are unlikely to collapse in Glasgow and should keep the scoreline close.
