Preview: Celtic vs. Malmo (H)

Celtic are just two games away from another year of Champions League football. Standing in their way of achieving that feat for the first time since 2013 are Swedish side Malmo.

The first-leg tomorrow night at Celtic Park (August 19th) and kick-off is at 7:45. The return leg will take place a week today (Tuesday August 25th) at the Swedbank Stadion.

Celtic (Form: WWWDWW)

In the last round, Celtic showed grit and determination to edge past Qarabag – something that they lacked in last year’s European campaign. A single goal from new signing Dedryck Boyata was enough to see Celtic through to the penultimate round of qualifying for the Champions League this year.

Celtic’s impressive 4-2 win against Inverness CT will give them confidence ahead of Wednesday’s night match but will have to cut out defensive errors to stand any chance of progressing.

Malmo (Form: WLDWWW)

Malmo suffered a 2-0 defeat against Red Bull Salzburg in the first leg in Austria, before beating them 3-0 in the return leg in impressive style in Sweden showing why they’ve won the domestic title two years in a row. They currently sit fifth in the Swedish league, four points off top of the table IFK Goteborg with 10 wins and seven draws from 20 games. In there most recent domestic game, which was on Saturday, they won 2-0 against mid-table Gefle.

Scottish sides are familiar opposition for Malmo, who defeated Rangers in the third qualifying stage in the Champions league in 2011. The also faced Hibernian in Europa League qualifying two years ago, when they hammered them 7-0 at Easter Road.

One notable name in their ranks is ex-Celt Jo Inge Berget. The 24-year-old joined the Scottish champions last July on a season-long loan from Cardiff City and was thrown straight into the starting team for their Champions League qualifier against Legia Warsaw. But the Norwegian striker fell down the pecking order at Celtic and his loan spell was terminated returning to Cardiff. Berget then signed for Malmo after the Championship side released him.

Malmo reached the group stages last season, but where drawn into a very tough group alongside eventual finalists Juventus, as well as Atlético Madrid and Olympiacos.

Team news

Celtic have a full squad available and manager Ronny Deila will be hoping that he can maintain that level of fitness and have his key players avoid injury throughout the season, especially if they progress into the Champions league

Malmo striker Markus Rosenberg is suspended for the first-leg after picking up three yellow cards in previous fixtures. Ghanaian midfielder Enoch Kofi Adu is also suspended for the visitors after getting sent off in their last European outing.

Prediction: Celtic 2-1 Malmo