stuttgart fc enter Europa League tie as favourites but Hinkel says Celtic crowd can still swing tie
Stuttgart head to Celtic Park as clear form favourites for the Europa League play-off, but a former player who has worn both shirts believes the Hoops' pressing and their famously hostile atmosphere can still turn a two-legged tie. The first meeting kicks off Thursday, February 19 at 8: 00 PM ET.
Stuttgart's red-hot run and attacking firepower make them the side to beat
Stuttgart's momentum is undeniable. The side has won seven of their last 10 matches since the winter break and boast 22 goals across 10 matches in 2026, numbers that underline a team firing on all cylinders. Deniz Undav has been central to that surge, contributing five goals and five assists this year, while Jamie Leweling and Chris Führich have also played key roles in a fluid forward line.
Manager Sebastian Hoeneß has built consistency and results: a long tenure that brought a league runners-up finish and domestic cup success has translated into a side comfortable with his methods. Their attacking variety, backed by midfield operators like Angelo Stiller and Bilal El Khannouss, presents multiple avenues to goal — a challenging proposition for any defence.
That form has translated on the road too. Recent away wins over top Bundesliga opponents have shown Stuttgart can thrive away from home, and a betting tipster's 11-10 selection for the clash underscores market confidence in the visitors. Bookmakers and punters have taken note of a team that looks capable of progressing if they maintain their rhythm across both legs.
Home pressure, pressing and Celtic's injury worries set stage for a tense two legs
There are clear reasons for optimism at Celtic Park. A former player with ties to both clubs says the key for the hosts is to upset Stuttgart's rhythm by pressing aggressively and disrupting the German side's build-up. If Celtic can get inside the game and force mistakes, the crowd can amplify pressure — and that, he suggests, could change the dynamic of the tie.
That edge is perhaps needed. Celtic have been steadied by a return to the dugout of Martin O'Neill and sit on a ten-game unbeaten run, but many of those results were scraped late with narrow wins. Compounding concerns, the squad remain without several regulars through injury, including central defenders and wing-backs whose absences will be felt against a high-octane Stuttgart attack.
History also weighs on Celtic. Their record versus German opposition is poor, with very few wins in past meetings and no away successes in Germany across 16 attempts. That statistic will sharpen the focus on getting a positive result at home on Thursday; failure to press and unsettle Stuttgart would likely hand the tie to the visitors.
How the tie could be decided and what to watch for
Expect a chess match of styles: Stuttgart aim to dominate possession, probe and exploit openings with fast, interchangeable attackers; Celtic must turn the game into a high-intensity, disruptive affair, using home support and coordinated pressing to blunt Stuttgart's control. Key matchups will be whether Celtic's midfield can cut passing lanes to Undav and Leweling, and if Celtic's full-backs—currently impacted by injuries—can cope with Stuttgart's wide threats.
Ultimately, this is a finely balanced encounter. Stuttgart arrive with form, confidence and market backing, while Celtic carry the intangible of Park noise and a tactical blueprint that, if executed, could derail the visitors. Thursday's 8: 00 PM ET kick-off will reveal which narrative prevails in the first leg.
