Matthew Lindsay's Five Minute Guide to Celtic v Malmo

As they can testify from bitter experience, getting through the play-off round is far from straightforward. They came unstuck at the same stage last season against NK Maribor.

A victory for Ronny Deila’s side would put them in a strong position heading into the second leg in Sweden next Tuesday night.

Losing, drawing or even conceding a goal would be costly to their chances of joining the continent’s elite in the tournament proper.

Here, chief football writer Matthew Lindsay looks ahead to what promises to be an intriguing encounter between Celtic and Malmo.

THIS GAME IS JUST TOO CLOSE TO CALL ISN’T IT?

It sure is. Age Hareide, the Malmo manager, insisted the two sides in the Champions League play-off match are “very, very equal” at his pre-match media conference in Glasgow yesterday. His Celtic counterpart Ronny Deila, meanwhile, admitted the visitors would challenge for the Scottish title if they played here.

Celtic have repeatedly shown they can, on their day, give any side in Europe a game, at home in particular. Malmo defeated a Red Bull Salzburg team which Celtic failed to overcome in two meetings in the Europa League last season in the third qualifying round.

But the Parkhead club learned a great deal about competing in continental competition in the 2014/15 campaign. That was obvious in the last round against a tidy Qarabag side. After sneaking a 1-0 win at home they showed great composure and intelligence to draw 0-0 away in Azerbaijan and progress. They will know how to approach this fixture and I would expect them to prevail.

Home advantage should be crucial this evening. A near sell-out crowd is expected at Celtic Park and that will give Deila’s side an advantage. The Celtic supporters are desperate for their side to return to Europe’s premier club competition after missing out last year and will roar cheer them from kick-off to the final whistle.

WHO WILL BE THE KEY MEN FOR THE SCOTTISH CHAMPIONS?

Scott Brown and Nir Bitton. The central midfield duo have struck up an outstanding partnership since Charlie Mulgrew got injured and dropped out of the Celtic first team last season. They can stop Malmo playing and give their own side a platform on which to perform. Brown was strangely out-of-sorts in the first leg of the third qualifying round against Qarabag. It was no surprise his team was not at his best either. When he plays they play. At his best, Israeli internationalist Bitton is a real handful.

WHO WILL PLAY UP FROM FOR CELTIC?

Probably Nadir Ciftci again. Ronny Deila is a huge admirer of the forward he acquired from Dundee United for £1.5 million this summer. The Turk has still, after four competitive appearances, to net for his new club. However, he will probably be the preferred option against Malmo due to his ability to hold the ball up and bring those around him in to play. He can score goals and set up goals. Leigh Griffiths, though, has a chance of being involved. He should come on as a substitute at some stage in proceedings.

WHO ARE MALMO’S DANGER MEN

Captain Markus Rosenberg and the experienced Enoch Adu are suspended. So Malmo will lack in experience. In such an intimidating arena packed full of so many partisan supporters, that could prove detrimental. Full back Anton Tinnerholm, then, could have a key role to play for the Swedes. Jo Inge Berget, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Celtic, will have a point to prove and won’t be affected by the surroundings having been in the stadium on numerous occasions.

TACTICAL BATTLE

It is always difficult to say with any confidence how a game like this will pan out. But Ronny Deila has stressed his charges will attack against Malmo. It is certainly in Celtic’s interests to chase the game and build up a lead to take over to Sweden for the second leg. With Stuart Armstrong, James Forrest, Stefan Johansen and Gary Mackay-Steven at his disposal, he has talented and pacy individuals who can wreak havoc going forward. Malmo will probably sit deep, endeavour to frustrate their opponents and grab a goal on the counter attack. Dedryck Boyata and Virgil van Dijk were outstanding in the last Champions League double header against Qarabag. If they can perform at the same level then Celtic should snuff out the threat their opponents pose in attack. Celtic fans will be hoping Boyata’s errors against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday are not repeated.

SCORE PREDICTION

Celtic 2, Malmo 0.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here