Celtic predicted lineup vs Benfica: Durán decision and Jota eligibility explained

Celtic’s predicted lineup against Benfica depends partly on Camilo Durán’s availability after the winger missed Wednesday’s training session following the birth of his child.

A later arrival in Portugal remained possible, so his absence from training does not confirm that he will miss Thursday’s Europa League match. Our prediction selects Haissem Hassan while that decision remains unresolved.

Celtic predicted lineup vs Benfica

Our prediction, 4-2-3-1: Sinisalo; Donovan, Murray, Scales, Tierney; McGregor, Baur; Hassan, Nygren, Tounekti; Høgh.

This is our expected XI. Durán’s availability could change the selection on the right of the attack.

Can Jota play against Benfica?

Jota is not registered in Celtic’s Europa League squad, so his domestic return does not make him available for this match.

Shim Mheuka, Landon Emenalo and Joel van den Berg were also omitted from the European list. The squad registration report explains the restrictions.

That distinction matters after Jota’s return against Motherwell: domestic availability and European eligibility are separate questions.

Why we have picked this XI

Our prediction largely retains the side that beat Motherwell, with Hassan replacing Durán on the right.

Hassan came on for Durán in that match, while Benjamin Nygren and Durán scored in the 2–0 victory. The club’s Motherwell match report provides the confirmed starting team and substitutions.

Callum McGregor and Mika Joel Baur remain our midfield pairing, with Nygren operating behind Kasper Høgh. We have kept Dane Murray alongside Liam Scales in central defence.

Benfica vs Celtic kicks off at 8pm UK time on Thursday 15 October in Lisbon. Check our football on TV guide and follow the latest Scottish football coverage.

Related: Callum Osmand injury scare eased as Celtic confirm cramp caused his withdrawal against Celta Vigo · Celtic lose 2–1 to Celta Vigo as Javi Rodríguez double leaves them without a point in Europa League · Sam Johnstone replaces Sinisalo as Celtic retain all 10 outfield starters for Celta Vigo clash