Chelsea vs Celtic Predictions

Chelsea vs Celtic for this pre-season friendly tie. Chelsea face Celtic in a pre-season friendly in Indiana on Saturday, preparing for the 2024-25 campaign. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips

Club Friendlies | Jul 27, 2024 at 9pm UK at Notre Dame Stadium

Chelsea vs Celtic Predictions

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Will Chelsea’s Attacking Depth Prove Too Much for Celtic?

Chelsea will continue their preparations for the 2024-25 campaign with a pre-season friendly against Scottish champions Celtic in Indiana on Saturday. The Blues kicked off their USA Tour with a 2-2 draw against Wrexham on Wednesday evening, while Celtic have already played four times this summer, including a thrilling 4-3 victory over Manchester City earlier this week. Here’s a detailed analysis of the upcoming game, focusing on team forms, key player matchups, tactical insights, and predictions.

Team Form and Performance Analysis

Chelsea’s Pre-Season Journey

Chelsea began their pre-season with a challenging fixture against Wrexham, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring for Chelsea in the 35th minute, but Wrexham responded with goals from Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott. Lesley Ugochukwu netted an equaliser in the 82nd minute, marking the beginning of Enzo Maresca’s tenure as head coach.

The Blues will play four more matches in the United States, facing Celtic, Club America, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, before returning to England to conclude their pre-season against Inter Milan. Chelsea’s preparations are crucial as they aim to build momentum ahead of their Premier League opener against Manchester City.

Celtic’s Pre-Season Campaign

Celtic are much further along in their pre-season preparations compared to Chelsea. Brendan Rodgers’ side has already played four matches, starting with a 1-1 draw against Ayr United. They have since recorded three consecutive victories, including an impressive 4-3 win over English champions Manchester City.

Celtic’s attacking prowess was on full display against City, where they managed to outscore a side featuring key players like Rico Lewis, Kalvin Phillips, Jack Grealish, and Erling Haaland. With the Scottish Premiership season set to begin on August 4, Celtic will be keen to continue their positive form and build confidence with another strong performance against Chelsea.

Expected Lineups and Tactical Approaches

Chelsea’s Probable Lineup

Chelsea’s possible starting eleven includes Sanchez; Adarabioyo, Badiashille, Colwill; Gusto, James, Ugochukwu, Chilwell; Madueke, Nkunku, Sterling. Maresca is expected to field a 3-4-3 formation, focusing on fluid attacking play and solid defensive organisation. With several key players absent due to international commitments, Maresca will rely on a mix of experienced players and young talents to deliver a strong performance.

Celtic’s Potential Formation

Celtic might line up with Schmeichel; Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor; O’Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Furuhashi, Maeda. Rodgers is likely to employ a 4-3-3 formation, emphasising attacking width and midfield control. With new signing Kasper Schmeichel expected to start in goal, Celtic’s defence will look to support their high-pressing and dynamic attacking play.

Key Player Duels

Christopher Nkunku vs. Celtic Defence

Christopher Nkunku has shown his goal-scoring prowess for Chelsea and will be a crucial player in breaking down Celtic’s defence. His speed, technical ability, and clinical finishing will test the likes of Welsh and Scales. Nkunku’s movement off the ball and ability to find space in the opposition’s penalty area could be decisive.

Kyogo Furuhashi vs. Chelsea Backline

Kyogo Furuhashi’s pace and agility make him a significant threat for Celtic. His duel with Chelsea’s defensive trio of Adarabioyo, Badiashille, and Colwill will be intriguing. Furuhashi’s sharp runs and positioning will challenge Chelsea’s defensive organisation and require constant vigilance.

Areas of the Field Where the Match Could Be Decided

The midfield battle is likely to be the focal point of this encounter. Chelsea’s ability to dominate possession and transition quickly from defence to attack will be crucial. On the other hand, Celtic’s midfield, led by McGregor and O’Riley, must effectively control the tempo and supply their forwards with quality service. Additionally, set pieces could play a significant role, given both teams’ aerial abilities and defensive organisation.

Gameplay Predictions

Considering both teams’ playing styles, Chelsea are expected to adopt an aggressive, high-pressing approach, aiming to disrupt Celtic’s build-up play and create quick scoring opportunities. Celtic, meanwhile, will focus on maintaining possession and using their speed on the flanks to exploit spaces in Chelsea’s defence. The match is likely to be open and entertaining, with both sides creating numerous chances.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Chelsea’s Pros and Cons

Chelsea’s strengths lie in their attacking depth and versatility. Players like Nkunku and Sterling offer speed and creativity, while Ugochukwu provides a solid midfield presence. However, their defence has shown vulnerabilities, particularly in set-piece situations, which they need to address.

Celtic’s Pros and Cons

Celtic’s ball retention and attacking fluidity are their key strengths. They excel in maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities through quick, incisive passing. However, their defence has shown inconsistencies, and they need to improve their defensive solidity to compete effectively against top teams.

Managerial Analysis

Enzo Maresca

Enzo Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea has just begun, and his tactical approach is still taking shape. Known for his emphasis on attacking football and high pressing, Maresca’s strategies will require time to be fully implemented. His ability to adapt and manage the squad’s dynamics will be crucial for Chelsea’s success.

Brendan Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers brings a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to Celtic. His possession-based football and ability to motivate players have been evident in Celtic’s pre-season performances. However, Rodgers needs to address the defensive frailties and ensure that his team can maintain consistency throughout the season.

Areas for Improvement

Chelsea

Chelsea need to work on their defensive organisation and reduce errors, particularly in set-piece situations. Improving their passing accuracy in the opposition half and ensuring better finishing could enhance their attacking efficiency.

Celtic

Celtic must focus on converting their possession into meaningful chances. Enhancing their defensive stability and ensuring effective transitions from defence to attack will be vital in improving their overall performance.

Predictions

Best Bet: Both Teams To Score

Given the attacking capabilities of both teams and their defensive vulnerabilities, predicting both teams to score is a prudent choice. Chelsea’s dynamic forward line and Celtic’s high-scoring pre-season form suggest that goals will be on the cards for both sides.

Correct Score Prediction: Chelsea 3-2 Celtic

Aligning with the best bet, a 3-2 victory for Chelsea seems plausible. Chelsea’s attacking depth and Celtic’s defensive inconsistencies suggest a high-scoring game. However, Celtic’s ability to find the net ensures they will contribute to the scoreline.

Goalscorer Prediction: Christopher Nkunku

Christopher Nkunku is expected to be a key goalscorer for Chelsea. His consistent scoring record and ability to exploit defensive lapses make him a prime candidate to find the back of the net in this match.

Corner Prediction: Chelsea to Win More Corners

Chelsea’s attacking style and tendency to dominate possession should result in more corners. With an average of 5.3 corners per game last season, Chelsea are likely to outpace Celtic in this aspect, particularly if they control the attacking phases as expected.

Innovative Market Prediction: Total Team Shots on Target - Chelsea Over 7.5

Chelsea’s average of 5.7 shots on target per game in the Premier League, combined with their attacking depth, makes predicting over 7.5 shots on target a strong choice. Their offensive strategy and Celtic’s defensive lapses provide a solid rationale for this market.

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