Celtic will take on Dunfermline Athletic in the Betfred Cup tie at Parkhead this weekend. The Hoops must be reeling after the loss against Cluj in the Champions League qualifiers on Tuesday. The Bhoys went down 5-4 on aggregate after having a lead in the second half. This is now two years in a row that Celtic have not made it to the Champions League main draw.
However, the game moves on, and Lennon will need to find solutions to pick his players up from this recent loss. Domestic treble will always be a big priority for the Glaswegian outfit. Celtic will need a commanding victory against Dunfermline Athletic to lift the mood. The Championship side have drawn both their two games of the season so far.
Team News: One can expect wholesale changes from the Hoops in this tie. Celtic will have one eye on the clash against AIK Stockholm to make it to the Europa League atleast. Scott Bain was guilty of making a massive error against Cluj and has injured himself which can see him miss months of action.
Formation (3-5-2)
Celtic Predicted Lineup Vs Dunfermline Athletic
Defence
The experienced Craig Gordon will come in goal, and he will have a significant role to play in place of Bain now for the next few games. Christopher Jullien’s absence from the defence has raised questions, but this could be the right game to get him a start at the back.
Nir Bitton will probably start in the back three as Jozo Simunovic might be rested. Kristoffer Ajer will probably be in the backline as well.
Midfield
Scott Sinclair doesn’t seem to be in Lennon’s plans anymore so he could be ignored even for this cup tie. Lewis Morgan might start on the left flank. Scott Brown will probably start in the middle after a horror show in the last game. Olivier Ntcham could also get the nod to play in central areas.
Ewan Henderson impressed last season in some of the games, and he should be given a go in this cup game. Marian Shved has so far played bits and pieces role, and he is expected to feature in the starting eleven in this clash from the right.
Attack
Odsonne Edouard is the main man for the Hoops upfront, and he is likely going to be rested for this tie. Leigh Griffiths will start up front and January signing vakoun Issouf Bayo should get the chance to partner him in the attack.
