90min

AC Milan vs Celtic Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By Daniel Feliciano

Celtic and Milan will do battle again at San Siro
Celtic and Milan will do battle again at San Siro / Mark Runnacles/Getty Images
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AC Milan will be hopeful of securing qualification for the Europa League knockout stages when they host an already eliminated Celtic at San Siro.

Stefano Pioli's side currently sit in second place in the group, having given up top spot after disappointing back-to-back results against Lille.

Celtic come into the game in poor form, leaving the future of manager Neil Lennon firmly in the balance. The Bhoys do have an opportunity to restore some pride here, but it will take a monumental effort to overcome a side who are flying high in Serie A.

Here's 90min's preview of the game.

San Siro, home of the Milan clubs
San Siro, home of the Milan clubs / Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off? Thursday December 3rd
What Time Is Kick Off? 17:55 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? San Siro, Milan
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport (UK)
Referee? Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea (ESP)

Team News

Ibrahimovic will miss the game with a thigh injury
Ibrahimovic will miss the game with a thigh injury / MB Media/Getty Images

Milan have been in fantastic form so far this season, with legendary veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the form of his life.

Unfortunately, I Rossoneri will be without the Swede for this one, as he's been ruled out with a thigh injury. Defender Mateo Musacchio and striker Rafael Leao are also expected to miss out.

Celtic's only injury worry is midfielder James Forrest but their poor form could see Lennon ring the changes. Callum McGregor, Olivier Ntcham and Mohamed Elyounoussi could all start after being benched for the weekend defeat to Ross County.

Predicted Lineups

AC Milan: Donnarumma; Dalot, Gabbia, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Hauge, Diaz, Krunic; Rebic

Celtic: Bain; Frimpong, Jullian, Ajer, Laxalt; Brown, McGregor; Christie, Ntcham, Elyounoussi; Edouard

Recent Form

Stefano Pioli's men have enjoyed a fantastic season so far, and currently sit pretty at the top of Serie A, five points clear of city rivals Inter.

They have endured a minor blip in form of late though, picking up just two wins from their last five games in all competitions. In Ibrahimovic, they have one of the most in-form strikers in world football, and his absence will certainly be felt at kick off.

Celtic, meanwhile, are in the midst of one of their worst runs of form in recent history. Just two wins have been picked up in their last ten games, although Lennon maintains that he's the right man to lead the club forward despite the mounting pressure on his shoulders.

Here's how both have got on specifically in their last five:

AC Milan

AC Milan 2-0 Fiorentina (29/11)
Lille 1-1 AC Milan (26/11)
Napoli 1-3 AC Milan (22/11)
AC Milan 2-2 Verona (08/11)
AC Milan 0-3 Lille (05/11)

Celtic

Celtic 0-2 Ross County (29/11)
Sparta Prague 4-1 Celtic (26/11)
Hibernian 2-2 Celtic (21/11)
Motherwell 1-4 Celtic (08/11)
Celtic 1-4 Sparta Prague (05/11)

Prediction

With Celtic's current troubles, it's hard to look past a comfortable Milan win here. They know a win here will seal their passage into the last 32, providing Sparta Prague fail to beat pacesetters Lille.

Milan will be expecting a comfortable win here
Milan will be expecting a comfortable win here / Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images

Without Ibrahimovic, Milan will rely on Ante Rebic for goals but Brahim Diaz has been in decent form and will be the head creator in the midfield. Celtic are up against it, and with confidence on the floor after recent results, it could be another night of misery.

Prediction: AC Milan 3-0 Celtic