Celtic host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League play-off.

Celtic vs Bayern Munich best bets

• Bayern Munich to win by one goal – 3/1 with bet365
• Under 1.5 goals first half – 4/5 with BetMGM
• Harry Kane to score any time – 4/6 with Betfred

Celtic vs Bayern Munich odds

Find the latest match odds for Celtic vs Bayern Munich. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

Celtic vs Bayern Munich predictions

Opinions are divided on the new format of the Champions League, which was introduced ahead of the current campaign. But one positive of the inaugural league phase is that it did not go exactly as people expected.

It was no surprise to see Liverpool, Barcelona and Arsenal finish in the top eight. Inter, Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen’s success was hardly unexpected either. 

No one predicted Lille’s seventh-place finish, though, and Aston Villa did brilliantly to qualify for the round of 16 in their first season in the competition for decades.

Elsewhere, European heavyweights like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich had to make do with a play-off berth. All four teams are in action this week while the likes of Barcelona and Arsenal put their feet up and wait for the last 16.

Bayern had a mixed time in the league phase, winning five games but losing three. Those defeats by Aston Villa, Barcelona and Feyenoord led to harsh criticism of Vincent Kompany’s side, on whom the jury is still out when it comes to the Champions League.

Bayern are having a relatively stress-free season in the Bundesliga, especially when you compare it to last term. Eight points clear at the top of the table, they would in effect wrap up the title by beating Bayer Leverkusen this weekend.

Bayern’s star quality means they often dazzle against inferior sides, many of whom they are capable of beating heavily. But it remains to be seen whether this team can go toe to toe with a fellow member of Europe’s elite in a Champions League knockout tie.

With this year’s final due to be held at the Allianz Arena, Bayern are even more motivated than usual to reach the tournament showpiece. 

They must not start looking too far ahead, though. The bookies rightly have Bayern down as strong favourites to beat Celtic over two legs, but a lack of focus would make their task more difficult than it should be.

Celtic finished 21st in the league phase, one spot above Manchester City. They only lost two games, fewer than Bayern. The German giants should not take anything for granted ahead of the first leg on Wednesday night.

Celtic vs Bayern Munich betting tips

Can Celtic cause an upset when Bayern Munich head to Glasgow in the Champions League play-offs?

Bayern Munich to win by one goal

Reaching the play-offs by finishing in the top 24 of the league phase means Celtic have already achieved their principal objective in this season’s Champions League.

Now Brendan Rodgers is looking to lead the Glasgow giants into the last 16 for the first time since 2012/13.

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Needless to say, Celtic could have done with a kinder draw in the play-offs. But having the first leg at home is preferable to starting the tie away. With the raucous Celtic Park crowd behind them, the Hoops will give Bayern something to think about.

Whether they will be able to avoid defeat is questionable. Bayern have some of the best players in Europe at their disposal, especially in attack. Celtic are dominant domestically, but this represents a major step up.

Celtic Park is a genuine factor, though, so Bayern should not expect to win comfortably. 

Back Bayern Munich to win by one goal at 3/1 with bet365

Under 1.5 goals first half

Celtic will have to strike the right balance between being disciplined but aggressive. They must ensure they are well-organised without the ball while ensuring they are not entirely passive.

It is something they often do well at Celtic Park on a big European night. Note that Rodgers’ team did not lose any of their four home games in the league phase.

Bayern Munich must also be patient, albeit in a different way. It might be tempting to go all-out in an attempt to end the tie on Wednesday, but that would be a risky strategy.

Keeping possession and taking the sting out of the home crowd should be the first aim for Kompany’s team.

All of which means we could be in store for a tight first half, with the game potentially opening up after the interval. 

Go for under 1.5 goals in the first half at 4/5 with BetMGM

Harry Kane to score any time

Despite scoring 28 goals in 28 games in all competitions, Harry Kane has come in for criticism in Germany at times this season.

No matter. Kane continues to put the ball in the back of the net on a regular basis. 

He notched a brace against Werder Bremen last time out, having also scored twice against Holstein Kiel in his previous outing.

As England captain, Kane should expect to receive more than his fair share of stick from the Celtic fans.

It is unlikely to throw him off his game. Kane is remarkably consistent and he should get chances against a Celtic team that conceded 14 goals in the league phase.

Tip Harry Kane to score any time at 4/6 with Betfred

How to watch Celtic vs Bayern Munich

• Location: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland.
• Date and time: Wednesday 12th February, 8pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 2.

Read more about the 2024/25 football season

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• Champions League winner odds
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About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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