Trusty To Return To The Starting XI? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Benfica

Trusty To Return To The Starting XI? | Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Benfica A comfortable 2-0 win over Motherwell should put Celtic in a better place ahead of their trip to Portugal. They will lock horns with Benfica on Thursday night in the Europa League , as the Hoops must bounce back after their home defeat to Ferencvárosi in the first gameweek. But they need to punch above their weight to grab a result against the Portuguese heavyweights, who humbled AC Milan at San Siro in September. Benfica are prime contenders for the coveted trophy, and it remains to be seen how Martin O’Neill lines up Celtic to counter Marco Silva’s structured style of football built on positional fluidity, high-intensity wide play, and central compactness. Predicted 4-2-3-1 Celtic Lineup To Face Benfica Defence After a clean sheet at Fir Park, Viljami Sinisalo should keep his place between the sticks despite losing his spot to veteran Sam Johnstone for a couple of fixtures before the international break. MOTHERWELL, SCOTLAND – OCTOBER 11: Haissem Hassan of Celtic battles for possession with Ibrahim Said of Motherwell during the William Hill Premiership 2026/27 match between Motherwell and Celtic at Fir Park on October 11, 2026 in Motherwell, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images) Colby Donovan has been preferred at right-back amid Alistair Johnston’s injury absence. The young academy prodigy must get the nod over Anthony Ralston. Compatriot Cameron Carter-Vicker’s fitness woes could see Auston Trusty return to the starting XI, replacing Dane Murray and partnering with Liam Scales in the heart of the backline. Kieran Tierney remains the obvious choice for the left-back spot, as his understudy Landon Emenalo has not been included in their European squad. Jordan Lotomba, primarily a right-back, might be introduced as a makeshift left-back from the bench. Midfield Skipper Callum McGregor must step up his game to control the show from the deep. Mika Baur should focus more on marshalling the defence rather than operating in the advanced areas of the pitch. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is available for selection following a three-game suspension, and the veteran Englishman is expected to feature as a second-half substitute alongside Oliver Sørensen and Luke McCowan. Benjamin Nygren lacks work ethic but could make a difference in close contests with his creative spark and poaching traits as a ‘number 10’. Yang Hyun-Jun is sidelined with a hamstring strain, and the gaffer should opt for Camilo Duran on the left-hand flank over Sebastian Tounekti. Shifting Duran to the left would make way for Haissem Hassan, who fits better as a right-sided attacker. Fit-again Jota is not registered for Europe, leaving the Bhoys with Tounekti and James Forrest as wide attacking alternatives. Attack Kasper Høgh, though low in confidence, should spearhead their frontline, with Shim Mheuka loaned in only from Chelsea for the domestic competitions.