UEFA Europa League
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1 vs 1
Played
December 15, 2011 8:05 PM GMT
Stadio Communale Friuli — Udine
Referee:‬ M. Koukoulakis‎
Attendance:‬ 15000‎
 

Europa League Preview: Udinese v Celtic

The Hoops travel to Stadio Friuli knowing nothing but a victory will suffice, while their opponents need just a point to ensure progression to the knockout phase of the tournament

By Joe Wright

More On :  Celtic, Udinese, Udinese vs Celtic
Neil Lennon - Celtic, (Getty Images)

PROBABLE LINEUPS

UDINESE

Handanovic
Benatia, Danilo, Neuton
Isla, Badu, Doubai, Abdi, Armero
Fabbrini
Floro Flores
CELTIC

Forster
Cha, Wanyama, Majstorovic, Mulgrew
 Brown, Kayal
Forrest, Ki, Samaras
Stokes

Udinese are in the driving seat for this match, sitting three points clear of Celtic before the start of play on Thursday. That being said, only a late penalty rescued a point for the Italians in the reverse fixture back in September, so they will be wary of the threat posed by the Scottish giants as they bid to secure their position in the next round.

The Serie A side have no major injury concerns ahead of the crucial clash. Veteran Antonio Di Natale is likely to remain on the bench, with Diego Fabbrini expected to partner Floro Flores in attack. Almen Abdi, the man who rescued a point for the Italians at Celtic Park, will be vying for a place with Giampiero Pinzi at the heart of midfield.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon claimed earlier this week that the pressure was off his side ahead of the clash in Italy, and that they would be going all out for victory. He must do so without a number of first team players who are unavailable.

Defenders Glenn Loovens and Adam Matthews, plus midfielder Joe Ledley, have all not travelled to Italy after succumbing to various injuries. Victor Wanyama, goal hero from the win versus Hearts at the weekend, could slot into central defence. Georgios Samaras is likely to continue his recent run in the team, although it is unclear whether Lennon will opt for both Gary Hooper and Anthony Stokes in attack from the outset.

 DID YOU KNOW?
  • The 1-1 draw back in September was Udinese’s first game against a Scottish club.
  • The Italians have won all four of their previous home fixtures in the competition, the latest being a 2-0 win over Group I leaders Atletico Madrid.
  • They are currently enjoying a fine season domestically, sitting in second place in Serie A above AC Milan and level on points with leaders Juventus.
  • Antonio Di Natale is their top scorer this season with 13 goals to his name, but may start from the bench for this match, with the hosts only needing a point.
  • Celtic have taken only one point on their travels in Group I so far.
  • They have played eight competitive matches on Italian soil and have never come away with a win.
  • Their first competitive match against Italian opponents was back in 1967, when they beat Inter 2-1 in the final of the European Cup.
  • The Hoops have won just one of their last nine away games in Europe – a 3-0 win against FC Sion, given to them by default after the Swiss side fielded ineligible players.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Udinese 2-0 Celtic
    32.57 %
  • Udinese 2-1 Celtic
    12.76 %
  • Udinese 1-0 Celtic
    10.25 %
Head to Head
UEFA Europa League ‎(EL)‎ Dec 15, 2011 Udinese 1 - Celtic 1
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
UEFA Europa League ‎(EL)‎ Sep 29, 2011 Celtic 1 - Udinese 1
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Last Five Matches
Udinese
May 13, 2012Catania 0 - Udinese 2ITA1
May 6, 2012Udinese 2 - Genoa 0ITA1
May 2, 2012Cesena 0 - Udinese 1ITA1
Apr 29, 2012Udinese 2 - Lazio 0ITA1
Apr 25, 2012Udinese 1 - FC Internazionale 3ITA1
Celtic
Dec 15, 2011Udinese 1 - Celtic 1EL
Nov 30, 2011Celtic 0 - Atletico Madrid 1EL
Nov 3, 2011Celtic 3 - Stade Rennais FC 1EL
Oct 20, 2011Stade Rennais FC 1 - Celtic 1EL
Sep 29, 2011Celtic 1 - Udinese 1EL
Odds
Returns: Udinese £80.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Draw £38.50 188bet Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game
Returns: Celtic £170.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
1Samir HandanoviçGoalkeeper
5DaniloDefender
8Dušan BastaDefender
17Mehdi BenatiaDefender
24Joel EkstrandDefender
27Pablo ArmeroDefender
7BaduMidfielder
-Thierry DoubaiMidfielder
23Almen AbdiMidfielder
20Kwadwo AsamoahMidfielder
10Antonio Di NataleStriker
21Daniele PadelliGoalkeeper
13NeutonDefender
3Mauricio IslaMidfielder
37Roberto PereyraMidfielder
66Giampiero PinziMidfielder
31Diego FabbriniStriker
83Antonio Floro FloresStriker
1Fraser ForsterGoalkeeper
5Daniel MajstorovicDefender
11Du-Ri ChaDefender
21Charles MulgrewDefender
18Sung-Yueng KIMidfielder
8Scott BrownMidfielder
33Beram KayalMidfielder
49James ForrestMidfielder
67Victor Mugabe WanyamaMidfielder
88Gary HooperStriker
9Georgios SamarasStriker
24Lukasz ZaluskaGoalkeeper
6Kelvin WilsonDefender
45Lewis ToshneyDefender
58Patrik TwardzikStriker
10Anthony StokesStriker
14Mohamed BanguraStriker
50Paul GeorgeStriker
Players to Watch
Antonio Di Natale
Antonio Di Natale
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
4 4 0 0
The veteran Italian forward is Udinese’s top scorer this season, and will be the biggest threat to Fraser Forster’s goal on Thursday night. His guile in and around the penalty area could prove a real problem for a Celtic team who have struggled for form away from home all season. Di Natale could well look to punish the Hoops on the counterattack, and they will need to be wary of the diminutive forward’s movements.
Anthony Stokes
Anthony Stokes
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 10
Games Goals YC RC
5 2 1 0
Stokes was the hero of Celtic’s last win in the competition, with his two goals against Rennes keeping alive their hopes of progression from the group stage.  

Alongside Hooper, he could prove a handful for the Udinese back line if he maintains the kind of workrate he showed against the French side last month. And with the Bhoys desperate for victory to keep them in the competition, his eye for goal could prove vital as they seek to unpick a stubborn home defence.
Prediction
Although Lennon has stressed his side will respect the quality of their opponents, they must come out all guns blazing if they are to manage what no other side in Group I has this season, and win at the Friuli. This could well play in to Udinese’s hands, as they will be content to soak up any pressure from the visitors and punish them on the counterattack.

While you can expect a host of chances to be carved out for either side, I cannot see Celtic holding out for a win where the likes of Atletico Madrid have already failed.
Editor's Prediction
Udinese 3
Celtic 1
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
Striker
Schalke 		14 3
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		12 1
Adrián Adrián
Striker
Atl. Madrid 		10 0
Fernando Llorente Fernando Llorente
Striker
Bilbao 		7 2
Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo Jonatan Ezequiel Cristaldo
Striker
Metalist 		7 0