Celtic’s home steel meets Ferencvaros’ ruthless streak in a finely poised Europa League opener

Celtic vs Ferencvaros - 09/17/2026

09/14/2026 2241

A matchup with layers returns as Celtic and Ferencvaros cross paths again, a pairing that has already swung both ways on this stage. The hosts carry imposing home habits but need a response after derby pain, while the visitors bring a long unbeaten surge and a ruthless European run.

Key Points

• Celtic have won their last three home matches, scoring freely while conceding very little at Celtic Park.
• Ferencvaros are unbeaten in their last 11 matches in all competitions and arrive after a 7-0 Hungarian Cup win.
• Camilo Durán remains central to Celtic’s attacking threat after a brilliant early-season scoring run.
• Celtic are set to be without Alistair Johnston, Jota and Callum Osmand, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended.
• Forebet model leans Celtic with a 50% probability and projected 3-1; Prediction: Celtic win, 3-1.

Recent History

There is recent history to weigh. Ferencvaros stunned Celtic 2-1 in a one-off qualifier in 2020 before Celtic replied with two wins in the 2021 group phase, including a 2-0 at Celtic Park. Narrow it to the last two in Glasgow and it is one win apiece, while across the last three meetings Celtic have taken two victories. The matchup has tended to pivot on the first goal and how well Celtic protect transitions.

Recent Form

Celtic’s broader form hints at a solid platform, even after Sunday’s 3-0 League Cup defeat at Rangers sharpened the need for a reaction. Across their last 6 in all competitions they have 4 wins and 2 losses, averaging 1.5 scored and 1.67 conceded. The recent home picture remains stronger: 3 wins from the last 3 at Celtic Park, 2.67 scored and just 0.33 conceded, built on control and sustained pressure.

Zoom out and the hosts have been reliable at scale. Celtic have won 70% of their last 30 in all competitions and haven’t been defeated in 25 of those 30. At home over the last 30 in all competitions they are unbeaten in 80%, scoring 2.07 and conceding 1.1 on average, with 6.17 shots on target and 60.23% possession. They have also won by 2+ goals in 7 of their last 12 at home and kept 4 clean sheets in their last 10 at Celtic Park.

The Europa League sample paints a more mixed portrait. Celtic have 7 wins from their last 14 in the competition but have lost 50% of their last 14 Europa League home matches. Over the last 20 Europa League home games they have won 55%, yet they have lost by 2+ goals in 40% of their last 10 in the competition and have conceded around 1.8 per home game across recent Europa League stretches.

Ferencvaros arrive with momentum. Over their last 6 in all competitions they have 5 wins and 1 draw, scoring 3.17 per game and conceding only 0.5, with 15.67 shots, 7 on target and 56.17% possession. They are undefeated in 100% of their last 11 matches in all competitions.

That surge is reflected in their summer-European run: past Vojvodina, Twente and Gornik Zabrze, then a 1-0 away and 4-0 home double over Trabzonspor. The 4-0 showed their ceiling, producing a dominant attacking display, and Marius Corbu, Bamidele Yusuf, Callum O’Dowda and Krisztián Lisztes all scored. They followed it with strong domestic results, including a 7-0 cup win at DEAC in which new midfielder Matús Bero hit a hat-trick.

Travel does not blunt them much. In all competitions, Ferencvaros have won 67% of their last 15 away games and haven’t been defeated in 82% of their last 17 away. They have 15 clean sheets across their last 37 away and have won by 2+ goals 12 times in their last 34 away. Their longer arc shows they have not lost in 83% of their last 40 across all venues.

Team News and Probable Lineups

Tactically, Martin O’Neill’s Celtic have leaned on control, with Callum McGregor pacing build-up and the wide trio supplying volume chances. Camilo Durán has quickly become the attacking reference point, while Benjamin Nygren’s goal output and Mika Baur’s recent winner at St Johnstone keep them prominent in midfield plans. Alistair Johnston, Jota and Callum Osmand are not expected to feature, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is suspended for this fixture.

Celtic probable lineup: Viljami Sinisalo; Colby Donovan, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales; Callum McGregor, Mika Baur; Haissem Hassan, Benjamin Nygren, Hyunjun Yang; Camilo Durán.

Ferencvaros have alternated between 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-4-1 under Balázs Borbély, pressing selectively, using Ádám Nagy to anchor and springing runners like Bamidele Yusuf and Kristoffer Zachariassen between lines. Veljko Birmančević adds another creative option after his late-window arrival, but the European core that swept past Trabzonspor should be heavily trusted.

Ferencvaros probable lineup: Dénes Dibusz; Olivér Nagy, Mariano Gómez, Toon Raemaekers, Cadu; Marius Corbu, Ádám Nagy; Bamidele Yusuf, Kristoffer Zachariassen, Callum O’Dowda; Lenny Joseph.

Prediction

Edge-on-edge, Celtic’s home production and long-run consistency meet a Ferencvaros side with sharper recent numbers and a sturdy away record. The visitors’ form demands respect, but Celtic Park, Durán’s threat and the need to answer the derby setback all support the model lean. Prediction: Celtic win, 3-1.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

UEL

Celtic Ferencvaros 17/09/2026 21:00

502030

13-1

3 - 1

2.90

54°F

-152

-152 +300 +350 no no no

FT

1 - 3(1 - 2)

-

- - -