Feyenoord vs Celtic: Preview, Prediction, Lineups

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Match Preview

A crucial Europa League showdown awaits at the iconic De Kuip this Thursday as Feyenoord host Scottish champions Celtic. Both sides find themselves precariously placed in the League Phase table, fighting to break into the top 24 playoff spots.

For Feyenoord, managed by the legendary Robin van Persie, the pressure is mounting. A dismal run of form, capped by a 4-2 home loss to NEC Nijmegen, has left the Rotterdam giants in crisis mode. Conversely, Celtic arrive under interim boss Martin O’Neill with renewed optimism, having won 4 of their last 5 domestic games. With Wilfried Nancy reportedly waiting in the wings to take over, the Hoops will look to capitalize on Feyenoord’s vulnerability and secure a vital European away win.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Quick Match Info

Fixture: Feyenoord vs Celtic
Competition: UEFA Europa League (League Phase – Matchday 5)
Venue: De Kuip, Rotterdam (Capacity: 51,177)
Date: Thursday, 27 November 2025
Kickoff Time: 18:45 CET / 17:45 GMT / 23:15 IST
Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
TV Channel (UK): TNT Sports
TV Channel (India): Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV, JioTV
Live Stream: Discovery+ (UK), SonyLIV (India)

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Match Context (2025/26 Season)

Feyenoord:

Position: 29th in Europa League (3 Points).
Form: Crisis. They have lost 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions, conceding 10 goals in that span. The 4-2 home defeat to NEC was a defensive horror show.
Current Challenge: A midfield injury crisis has left Van Persie with bare bones. Stopping the rot at home is the only priority.

Celtic:

Position: 27th in Europa League (4 Points).
Form: Resurgent. Since O’Neill stepped in, they have stabilized, winning back-to-back league games including a 4-0 thrashing of Kilmarnock. However, their last European outing was a 3-1 loss to Midtjylland.
Current Challenge: Their away record in Europe remains a psychological hurdle. They need to be brave at De Kuip to snatch points.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — What’s at Stake

For Feyenoord:

Survival: Sitting 29th, a loss here would be catastrophic for their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds. They need to turn De Kuip into a fortress again.

For Celtic:

Momentum: A win would take them to 7 points, putting them firmly in the mix for the playoffs. It would also be a massive confidence booster ahead of the new manager’s arrival.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Team Form

Feyenoord (Last 5 Matches):

L vs NEC Nijmegen (2-4)
L vs Go Ahead Eagles (1-2)
L vs Stuttgart (0-2 – EL)
W vs FC Volendam (3-1)
L vs PSV (2-3)

Celtic (Last 5 Matches):

W vs St. Mirren (1-0)
W vs Kilmarnock (4-0)
L vs Midtjylland (1-3 – EL)
W vs Rangers (3-1 – League Cup)
W vs Falkirk (4-0)

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Team News

Feyenoord:

Injury Crisis: Van Persie confirmed he has “only four fit midfielders.” Gernot Trauner (Achilles), Thomas Beelen (Broken Leg), and In-Beom Hwang (Thigh) are all out.
Justin Bijlow: Doubtful (Leg Injury). Timon Wellenreuther is expected to continue in goal.
Cyle Larin: Out (Injured). Ayase Ueda will lead the line, supported by the creativity of Quinten Timber.

Celtic:

Defensive Blow: Cameron Carter-Vickers is out for the season with an Achilles injury. Alistair Johnston is also sidelined long-term.
Attack: Jota (ACL) and Kelechi Iheanacho (Hamstring) are missing.
Captain’s Return: Callum McGregor is fit and will anchor the midfield alongside Reo Hatate.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Head to Head

13 Dec 2023: Celtic 2–1 Feyenoord (CL)
19 Sep 2023: Feyenoord 2–0 Celtic (CL)
Analysis: The home team has won the last two encounters. Celtic’s win in 2023 broke a long winless streak in the Champions League.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Predicted Lineups

Feyenoord (4-2-3-1):

GK: Timon Wellenreuther
RB: Bart Nieuwkoop
CB: Anel Ahmedhodzic
CB: Tsuyoshi Watanabe
LB: Gijs Smal
CDM: Quinten Timber (C)
CDM: Luciano Valente
RW: Anis Hadj Moussa
CAM: Sem Steijn
LW: Leo Sauer
ST: Ayase Ueda

Celtic (4-3-3):

GK: Kasper Schmeichel
RB: Anthony Ralston
CB: Auston Trusty
CB: Liam Scales
LB: Kieran Tierney
CM: Arne Engels
CM: Callum McGregor (C)
CM: Reo Hatate
RW: Johnny Kenny
ST: Sebastian Tounekti
LW: Daizen Maeda

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Impact Bench Options

Feyenoord:

Shaqueel van Persie: The manager’s son is a raw talent but could be a wildcard if Feyenoord need a goal.
Gonçalo Borges: Offers pace on the wing to stretch tired legs.

Celtic:

Paulo Bernardo: Can provide control and energy in midfield if Celtic are under pressure.
Hyun-Jun Yang: A direct runner who can exploit spaces on the counter-attack.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Tactical Outlook

Feyenoord:

Playing Style: Desperate Possession. At home, they will try to dominate, but their confidence is shot. Without key defenders like Trauner, they look vulnerable to every counter-attack. They will rely on Timber to drive them forward.
Weakness: Defensive Organization. Conceding 4 to NEC shows a complete lack of structure. Celtic’s speed in transition will terrify them.

Celtic:

Playing Style: O’Neill’s Grinta. Under interim boss O’Neill, Celtic have gone back to basics—hard work, organization, and quick breaks. Maeda’s pressing will be key to forcing errors from Feyenoord’s shaky backline.
Strength: Momentum. Winning games breeds confidence. Even with injuries, they feel like a team on the up, unlike their opponents.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Key Battles

Matchup	Battle Type	Edge
Gijs Smal vs. Johnny Kenny	Form vs. Confidence: Kenny has been scoring for fun recently. Smal has struggled defensively. This is Celtic’s main avenue of attack.	Celtic
Quinten Timber vs. Callum McGregor	Captain’s Clash: Two influential midfielders. Timber is more dynamic, but McGregor has the experience to control the tempo.	Tie
Anel Ahmedhodzic vs. Daizen Maeda	Speed Mismatch: Maeda never stops running. Ahmedhodzic needs to be flawless on the ball or he will be punished.	Celtic

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Spotlight Players

Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord):

With Gimenez gone/injured and Larin out, the Japanese striker is the main man. He needs to hold up the ball and bring Steijn into play. If he goes missing, Feyenoord have no outlet.

Kieran Tierney (Celtic):

The returning hero has settled back into the team well. His leadership at the back and ability to support attacks down the left will be vital in a hostile European away game.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Fan Reactions

Feyenoord Fans:

“Van Persie is a legend, but this run of form is unacceptable. We cannot lose to Celtic at De Kuip.”

“Our midfield is non-existent. It’s going to be a long night.”

Celtic Fans:

“Martin O’Neill has steadied the ship. Let’s get a win for him before the new boss comes in!”

“Feyenoord are there for the taking. Just be brave and attack them.”

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Match-Defining Factors

The “De Kuip” Atmosphere: It can be the 12th man, or it can turn toxic if Feyenoord start slowly. Celtic need to frustrate the crowd early.
Midfield Battle: Feyenoord are missing bodies. If McGregor and Hatate can dominate the center, Celtic will win.
Defensive Errors: Both teams have leaky defenses in Europe. The game could be decided by who makes the fewest unforced errors.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Prediction

Score Prediction: Feyenoord 2–2 Celtic

Betting Insights:

Outcome: Draw or Celtic Double Chance.
Both Teams to Score: YES (Both defenses are decimated by injuries).
Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals (Open game with desperate teams).

Analysis: Feyenoord are in freefall, and their injury list is frightening. Celtic, while also missing key players, have found some rhythm under O’Neill. Feyenoord’s home advantage should save them from defeat, but Celtic have enough quality to take a point back to Glasgow in an entertaining, high-scoring affair.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — Final Word

It’s a battle of two wounded giants. Feyenoord are fighting to save their season, while Celtic are looking to bridge the gap to the next era. With injuries ravaging both squads, expect a chaotic, end-to-end game where defense takes a backseat to passion and desire.

Feyenoord vs Celtic — FAQs

When is the Feyenoord vs Celtic match?

The match kicks off on Thursday, 27 November 2025, at 17:45 GMT (23:15 IST).

Who is the Feyenoord manager?

Robin van Persie is currently the head coach of Feyenoord.

Is Cameron Carter-Vickers playing?

No, the Celtic defender is out for the season with an Achilles injury.

Where can I watch the match in India?

You can watch live on Sony Sports Network and stream on SonyLIV.

Call to Action — SportsphereArena Community

Will O’Neill guide Celtic to a famous away result? Drop your score predictions below!

If you enjoyed this preview, follow SportsphereArena.com for post-match ratings, tactical deep dives, and exclusive fan analysis.
Stay connected for real-time updates across football, tennis, and cricket.
Stay informed. Stay analytical. Stay in the game — with Sportsphere Arena.

Wrexham vs Bristol City — Match Preview

Legia Warsaw vs Sparta Prague — Match Preview

FC Porto vs Nice — Match Preview

Sheffield United vs Portsmouth — Match Preview

Ajax vs Benfica — Match Preview

Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal — Match Preview

Atlético Madrid vs Inter — Match Preview

Grêmio vs Palmeiras — Match Preview

Atlético Mineiro vs Flamengo — Match Preview

Arsenal vs Bayern Munich— Match Preview