CFR Cluj vs Celtic Predictions

• A draw is all Cluj need to guarantee safe passage to the knockout rounds. A defeat would be enough if Lazio fail to win.
• No team in Group E has conceded less home goals than Cluj, who’ve conceded just once at Stadionul Dr. Constantin Rădulescu.
• This will be the fourth time this pair have met since August. They’ve each won one of the previous three.

Hosts look to maintain 100% home record

Cluj come into match-day six in a favourable position; they’re second in the group and know just a draw at a venue where they’re yet to drop points will be enough to go through. Moreover, the hosts know they can get a draw off Celtic, as they drew 1-1 at this venue in August. They also beat the Scots away from home in August.

Celtic have been the best team in Group E, though Cluj haven’t been far behind. Thursday’s hosts have won three of their five games and when they have been beaten, have only lost narrowly.

On their own patch, the Romanians have been particularly useful, beating both Lazio and Rennes, scoring three and conceding just one in the process. Having given very little away in those two games, conceding just five shots on target in over 180 minutes of football, the hosts will fancy themselves to get the point they need.

Job done as far as Celtic concerned

Celtic can relax ahead of Thursday’s game, as they’re already through. Not only should they be relaxed but Neil Lennon’s men should be in good spirits having won the Scottish League Cup at the weekend.

As far as Group E is concerned, Celtic have made light work of progressing. They’ve won four and drawn one, scoring 10 and conceding four in the process. Against some useful sides, the Bhoys have shown they’ve got the attacking quality to go deep into this competition, though their lack of clean sheets is slightly concerning.

Celtic did shut Cluj out in the reverse of this fixture, but that’s the only time in Group E they’ve kept a clean sheet. They’ve also tended to allow teams to create quite a bit, shipping 14 shots on target in their last two Europa League clashes.

Back Cluj to qualify

Celtic are the group winners, but this game means nothing to them, so it must rate as an opportunity for the hosts to sign off with a win. Since they’ve already qualified, the visitors are likely to rest key players ahead of their weekend league match, or at least that’s what manager Neil Lennon has said.

In addition, Cluj have been very good at home, beating both Lazio and Rennes. Their efforts in those matches suggest they can do the business against a Celtic side which should lack motivation.

A 2-0 win for the hosts appeals in the ‘Correct Score’ market. Cluj notched twice when beating Lazio at home, while they created enough chances to score more than once against Rennes at this venue too. They’ve defended well, restricting teams to few chances, so are backed to keep out the visitors, who will almost definitely not be at full strength.