Celtics 11 games in 38 days; full schedule, injuries, TV information, and predictions

Celtic’s return to action after the international break is less than a week away, and it will mark the start of a demanding schedule for Brendan Rodgers and the Bhoys.

The Scottish champions will play 11 games in 38 days, with only one midweek break before the winter break, which begins on January 2nd against St Mirren.

It’s a time that will reveal a lot about how this season will unfold. The European group stage campaign will come to an end, and nine Scottish Premiership games will determine who the title favourites are heading into the new year.

Here’s everything you need to know about the next six weeks.

The Celtics’ next 11 games

The complete schedule is as follows (UK Times):

25/11 – Motherwell (H), 3pm
28/11 – Lazio (A), 5:45pm
03/12 – St Johnstone (A), 12pm
06/12 – Hibernian (H), 7:45pm
10/12 – Kilmarnock (A), 12pm
13/12 – Feyenoord (H), 8pm
16/12 – Hearts (H), 3pm
23/12 – Livingston (H), 3pm
26/12 – Dundee (A), 3pm
30/12 – Rangers (H), 12:30pm
02/01 – St Mirren (A), 5pm

Specifics about the broadcast

TNT Sport will broadcast live both of Celtic’s remaining UEFA Champions League games against Lazio and Feyenoord.

A total of five Premiership games will be broadcast live on television. Sky Sports Football will broadcast the trips to St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, Dundee, and St Mirren, as well as the massive derby against Rangers at home on December 30th.

Celtic’s injury situation and squad depth

Rodgers will be without several key players for the majority, if not all, of the games on the schedule. Liel Abada and Reo Hatate are both expected to be out until the new year.

Meanwhile, Daizen Maeda will be out for the majority of December, though the manager has indicated that he may be available for the game against the Rangers.

Fortunately, the rest of the squad is in fighting shape right now, and a large number of players will be required to navigate an extended period of matches every three or so days.

Players like Hyeongyu Oh, Hyunjun Yang, David Turnbull, and Paulo Bernardo are in line to play more minutes for Celtic in support of the established starters.

Predicting Celtic’s difficult schedule

At this point, Celtic would benefit greatly from winning their Champions League group. Securing European football after Christmas appears unlikely unless the Bhoys surprise everyone by winning in Rome – and even then, things must fall our way.

Nonetheless, the home game against Feyenoord is the ideal opportunity to end the season with some pride and deliver the elite European win that every Celtic fan craves.

In terms of the league, it may be unrealistic to expect Celtic to collect all 27 points in nine games, but we know Celtic is capable of doing so.

The Bhoys can’t afford to lose too many points in the lead-up to that derby, which is still a must-win. And you’d bet on Rodgers’ team to get the job done.

If Celtic do drop points in the coming weeks, away trips to Kilmarnock and St Mirren appear to be the most dangerous.

Everyone will be pleased if Rodgers’ side leads Rangers by a comfortable margin at the break.

In other news, Kenny Miller pinpoints crucial element that gives Celtic a “advantage” over title rivals Rangers