Europa League Preview: Celtic Looks to Extend Home Dominance Against Struggling FC Utrecht

GLASGOW, Scotland (Interstat) — Celtic will look to capitalize on its formidable home European record when it hosts Dutch side FC Utrecht in a Europa League knockout round first-leg match on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at Celtic Park.

The Scottish champions enter the contest following a mixed run of domestic form. Their most recent result was a 2-2 draw at Heart of Midlothian on Sunday. In European play, they earned a credible 2-2 draw at Bologna FC on Jan. 22. However, their continental campaign has been inconsistent, including a 3-0 home loss to AS Roma in December.

FC Utrecht arrives in Glasgow seeking its first win in the competition since November. The Dutch club is reeling from a 2-0 home defeat to KRC Gent in its last Europa League outing on Jan. 22. Its form in the group stage was poor, managing just one win and one draw from its final eight matches. The slide includes losses to Nottingham Forest, Real Betis, SC Freiburg, SK Brann and Olympique Lyonnais.

The matchup pits Celtic’s attacking prowess at home against a Utrecht defense that has conceded multiple goals in five of its last nine European fixtures. Celtic’s schedule shows a congested February, with a Scottish Cup match against Falkirk FC set for Sunday, Feb. 1, followed by a league clash at Aberdeen FC on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

According to the Interstat game simulator, Celtic is projected to secure a 2-0 victory in the first leg. Historical precedent favors the hosts; Celtic has lost only once at home in European competition this season.

For Utrecht, the trip to one of Europe’s most storied and vociferous venues presents a daunting challenge. To advance, they must find a way to stem a tide of away-day struggles, having failed to score in three of their four European road games this season.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. GMT at a sold-out Celtic Park. The return leg is scheduled for the following week in the Netherlands.