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We move into the knockout rounds of the UEFA Europa League, with Celtic the last Scottish team standing. The Hoops finished among the top 24 sides, thanks to a strong finish, ensuring they booked a spot in the play-offs. Martin O'Neill's team enjoy the home advantage when German Bundesliga club Stuttgart jet into Glasgow for the opening leg.
Stuttgart may be the visitors, but the Germans fancy their chances of going through. Victory is their main aim, but if the Reds can't win, they'll want to avoid a heavy defeat. The play-off must remain live heading into the second leg when Sebastian Hoeness' crew will have the backing of their passionate supporters. A draw would suit Stuttgart much more than Celtic.
How will Thursday's match play out, and which of these big-name teams will give themselves the best chance of appearing in the next round? Flashscore readers can predict which name will progress or focus on the first leg. You can bet on the match-winner, first scorer, total goals, and more. Frank Monkhouse walks you through his three data-led bets.
Celtic v Stuttgart tips
Celtic to score @ 1/3 (bet365)
Both teams to score @ 8/13 (bet365)
Nygren to score or assist @ 7/5 (bet365)
Celtic to score - yes
Our first pick from Thursday evening's televised match comes from the team to score market available on the bet365 app. Click the odds attached to Celtic to add to your bet slip, input a stake, and confirm. Your wager becomes live, and a cash-out amount will appear. The winner of this match is no longer important. All you care about is Celtic finding the net at least once.
Looking through their recent Europa League matches played at this venue makes for interesting reading. The Hoops scored four in a win over Utrecht last time out, and two when Sturm Graz were in Glasgow. On the road, the Scottish Premiership champions bagged a couple in Bologna, three at Feyenoord, another at Midtjylland, and one in Belgrade.
Let's turn our attention to Celtic's recent form. In February, the former European Cup winners played three home matches on the bounce, beating Falkirk 2-0 before downing both Dundee and Livingston by a 2-1 scoreline. The locals warmed up for this clash with a trip to lowly Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon, scoring late to win 3-2. Confidence is returning to the squad and fans.
Tip: Celtic to score @ 1/3 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You'll bank a profit from this bet if Celtic score one or more goals on Thursday evening in Glasgow.
Both teams to score - yes
We're sticking with the goals for our second Celtic v Stuttgart bet, taking both teams to score. Again, the match-winner, scorers, and the winning margin don't matter. If Celtic and Stuttgart find the net at least once each, you can count your profits. A 3-1 home win pays the same as a 1-1 draw or a 5-1 victory for the visitors. You have an interest for the entire match.
The updated head-to-head stats show these teams have met only twice before. Those matches both came in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup. Both teams scored in the two meetings, with Celtic winning 3-1 at this venue in early February, before Stuttgart returned the favour, winning 3-2 later that month. The Hoops raced into a 2-0 lead that night to win 5-4 on aggregate.
It's encouraging to see backing BTTS has a 100% record in this fixture, but we won't rely on stats from a match played 23 years ago. During this season's league phase, Celtic scored 13 but conceded 15, while the Germans scored 15 and leaked nine. Stuttgart hit four at Go Ahead Eagles. They won 3-2 at home against Young Boys in their last European match.
Tips: Both teams to score @ 8/13 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Your bet wins if Celtic and Stuttgart both get on the scoresheet.
Score or assist - Nygren
Having picked Celtic to score and both teams to score, we wrap things up with a final bet from the goals market, this time with higher odds attached. We're placing our stake on the in-form attacker Benjamin Nygren. If our pick nets inside the opening 30 seconds or sets up an opponent for a late tap-in, they both count. You need him to score or provide an assist.
Nygren is a versatile Swede who can operate anywhere across the attack. His stats for the season show the 24-year-old has been busy, scoring in the Premiership, Europa League, and a World Cup qualifier. Benjamin has already found the net against Sturm Graz, Feyenoord, and Utrecht. Two of his three goals came at Thursday's venue. Stick with him.
There's more to Nygren's game than scoring goals. He showed team spirit when assisting in Yang's breath-taking goal here in the Old Firm Derby early in 2026. Celtic's number eight has big-game experience, a cool head, and his manager trusts him at this level. While Nygren is on the field of play, your wager is live. Nygren to score or assist is a solid single.
Tip: Nygren to score or assist @ 7/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Nygren scores or provides an assist at any stage of this Europa League showdown in Glasgow, you'll secure a return and profit.
Celtic v Stuttgart odds
Stuttgart win @ 21/20 (bet365)
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.