---
title: "Celtic: Predicted XI to face Riga in Europa League tie"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-predicted-xi-to-face-riga-in-europa-league-tie/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2020-09-24T12:20:26Z"
modified: "2020-09-24T12:20:26Z"
---

# Celtic: Predicted XI to face Riga in Europa League tie

**Celtic beat Livingston [3-2](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX) in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend, which was a big result as it put them only one point behind the league leaders and if they win their game in hand, they can go top, [per SPFL](https://spfl.co.uk/league/premiership/table).**

However they will be turning their attention away from the division and focusing on Europe, as they face a tough tie in the Europa League third qualifying round against [Latvian champions](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54242915) Riga FC.

Neil Lennon has already come out and said that the match will be tricky as Riga will be a ‘[tough team to break down](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54242915)‘, and with the Hoops getting [knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53884053) earlier this campaign, they will not want a repeat in the Europa League.

Here is the TT predicted XI, which sees Lennon make [one](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX) change from the side that won against Livingston at the weekend.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Celtic-FC-vs-Riga-400x500.png)

Defender Christopher Jullien is still not fully fit, and Lennon has[admitted](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/christopher-jullien-blow-celtic-neil-22730027) that he has had to leave the defender behind as he recovers from a back problem. This will obviously be a big blow for the Hoops, and it showed at the weekend as they leaked [two](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX) goals without him in the back line. This will most likely see the back three [not change](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX) from the Premiership match, with Kristoffer Ajer, Shane Duffy and Hatem Abd Elhamed all starting.

Midfielder Callum McGregor shone last weekend, picking up a 7.6 rating and scoring one goal, per [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX) whilst also making four key passes and winning two ground duels, and Lennon will be hoping for more of the same from the Scotsman.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”292669″\]

Lennon could easily make a slight tactical change, as at the weekend he [rested](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX) Odsonne Edouard, who has scored four goals and assisted one in the league this season, per [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/odsonne-edouard/profil/spieler/344152), so that he was fully fit to face Riga. Ryan Christie was in his position and performed brilliantly, picking up an 8.5 rating, per [SofaScore](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX), as well as a goal and an assist.

Therefore the Hoops could replace Edouard with [24 year-old](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olivier-ntcham/profil/spieler/224088) Olivier Ntcham, who struggled against Livingston and picked up a [6.7](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX) rating, and pair Edouard upfront with Albian Ajeti, who now has four goals and one assist in five league games since his arrival this summer, per [Transfermarkt](https://www.sofascore.com/livingston-celtic/cXsgX). This would mean Christie sits just behind the two forwards to provide them with a lot of creativity.

***Celtic fans, what are your thoughts on this line-up? Comment below!***