Europa League playoff round predictions including Celtic v AIK Stockholm

From 3pm Thursday

Celtic crashed out of the Champions League with a shock 4-3 defeat at home to Romanian side Cluj last Tuesday but they can make a strong start to their Europa League challenge by defeating AIK Stockholm in Glasgow.

The Bhoys are going through a busy schedule – they have already played nine competitive games this season – but they have had enough time to recover physically and mentally from their Champions League elimination.

Neil Lennon made five changes for Saturday's League Cup second-round tie at home to Dunfermline and his side progressed 2-1 after extra-time.

Celtic should have a stronger team out against AIK, although Norwegian defender Kristoffer Ajer (shoulder) is likely to miss out.

Offensively, Celtic are expected to be close to full-strength and it should not be long before they expose the Swedes, who are third in their domestic league.

AIK laboured to a 3-2 aggregate success over Moldovan champions Sheriff in the previous round and they are unlikely to seriously trouble the Scottish champions.

Rangers face a trickier task when they take on Legia Warsaw in the Polish capital.

Steven Gerrard's side are narrow favourites to win the first leg and they can approach the game with plenty of confidence after a convincing 7-3 aggregate success over Danish outfit Midtjylland in the last round.

The Gers have won eight of their nine games this season and could include on-loan Leicester midfielder Andy King, who has been added to their Europa League squad.

Northern Ireland champions Linfield are bidding to reach the Europa League group stage for the first time but they face a tough challenge against Azerbaijan champions Qarabag, with the opening leg in Belfast.

Qarabag reached the Champions League group stage in 2017-18 and the Europa League group stage last season. They are 1-3 to secure a first-leg lead and 1-20 to progress.

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