Shetland vs. Celta: preview
We have the information on the predictions for the match between Shetland and Celta in the third round of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage.
"Shetland" (position 33) and "Celta" (position 29) have not earned points and are out of the play‑off zone.
Key points
Shetland
1. "Shetland" overcame a tough phase with a brilliant win
"Shetland" had a vague start to the season. On one hand, they lead the Premier League with a four‑point advantage over second place. On the other, they failed to qualify for the Champions League, started the Europa League group stage with two defeats, and lost at home to their main rival, "Rangers" (0:1). After the last round of the Premier League, "Shetland" came after four defeats in the last five matches, but finally demolished "Harts" (7:1), with whom they fought for the title until the end last season. The victory is mainly important for the psychological aspect: the "Celtics" not only offered a good match, but also achieved a scoreline of a rout.
2. Hyun‑Jun and Vickers will be absent
The young 20‑year‑old Callum Osmond was the protagonist of the match against "Harts", with a double in the first half. During the break he left the field due to problems with the posterior tibial tendon, and the striker felt discomfort. Martin O’Neil retired. But with "Celta" Osmond is ready to play. However, last season’s third top scorer for "Shetland", Yan Hyun‑Jun, and the main central defender, Cameron Carter‑Vickers, will not appear. The Korean will be absent for another two or three weeks, and Vickers will return in the next league match, according to the coach.
3. "Shetland" lacks conviction in European competitions
As good as "Shetland" is in the league, in European competitions they are in their second year of unclear performance. A year ago they exited the Champions League qualifying round, losing to "Kairat" on penalties. Then they won only three of seven matches in the Europa League group stage and reached the play‑offs from position 21, being eliminated in the first round against "Stuttgart" (1:4, 1:0). The 2026/27 season began with another elimination in the Champions League qualifying round against "LASK" (3:0, 1:5) and two defeats in the Europa League group stage: 1:3 against "Ferencváros" and 1:4 against "Benfica". Now, for the first time since 2023, "Shetland" will face a Spanish club – back then they lost 0:6 to "Atlético".
Celta
1. "Celta" regained momentum after a difficult start
"Celta" traditionally started the season with difficulties, with no victories in the first seven matches. The worst nightmare was the home Europa League match against "Omonia" (0:1): during the 90 minutes, "Celta" dominated (1.17:0.29 in xG, 19:10 in shots), but the moments did not materialise, and at the 88th minute they lost. Since then, the team improved: victories over "Rasing" (5:0) and "Alaves" (2:1), a draw with "Elche" (0:0) and a loss in the Europa League against "Juventus" (1:2) in a balanced contest – the decisive goal for the "Celtic" was missed only in added time. Still, there are no points; according to last season’s schedule, "Celta" was two rounds before with only three points.
2. "Celta"'s injury list is full
"Celta" still has squad losses. Since early October, they have injured Borja Iglesias and Carl Starfelt. Borja is "Celta"'s top scorer in the 2025/26 season, and Starfelt is the key central defender. Jones El‑Abdelloui and Miguel Roman are also unavailable. The good news is that Pablo Durán is close to returning after a calf muscle inflammation, but he will only be 100 % ready for the match against "Betis", and with "Shetland" it is unlikely. And Durán, along with Fernando Yutgl, are the top scorers for "Celta" in the current season – both have scored two goals.
3. "Celta" no longer wins away
In the 2025/26 season, "Celta" was the third team after "Barcelona" and "Real" for points earned away. At home they even surpassed "Madrid". However, in the current season, away games are going very badly: in five matches, zero wins, one loss, three draws, and only one goal scored. The attack disappoints: in these five meetings only 3.35 xG were generated, and only in one did they exceed the expected one goal.
Approximate lineups 4-2-3-1 3-4-1-2
Sinišalo63 Tirni5 Skelz47 Murphy51 Donovan22 Baur42 McGregor17 Tunetti8 Nyugren23 Hassan11 Durán13 Andrei Radu20 Rodriguez18 Lago3 Alonso17 Rueda6 Moriba14 Feibas5 Carrera23 Alvarez19 Sveberg9 Yutgl
Betting on the trend
In the last six home matches in European competitions, "Shetland" and in four of the last six away matches in European competitions, "Celta" scored at least three goals. Bet: TB 2.5 at 1.80.
In ten of the last 15 European competition matches, "Celta" and in ten of the last 15 European competition matches, "Shetland" scored both. Bet: both teams to score – Yes at 1.65.
Forecast
Shetland vs Celta 22.10.2026 23:00
"Shetland" had a weak start: they exited the Champions League qualifying round, lost both matches in the Europa League group stage, and lost to "Rangers" in the Premier League. But the streak of failures ended: in the last round of the league, the "Celtics" demolished one of their competitors – "Harts" (7:1), securing first place. The team comes out of the crisis, although they will play without their main central defender and one of their midfield leaders against "Celta". Doubts arise from the results in European competitions, where the "Celtics" have failed since summer 2025.
"Celta" also took time to start, with no victories in the first seven matches. In the Europa League, two defeats in two rounds, although in both cases the Spaniards should have collected at least one point. But in the last three rounds, they earned seven points, and 1:2 with "Juventus" in the Europa League also generates optimism. But away, "Celta" fails: in five matches of the season, zero wins and only one goal scored. Suppose the teams separate by the difference. Forecast: 1-1.
