Celtic’s Champions League vision could become clearer this weekend

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Celtic fans will have a better idea of who their team could face in the first round of Champions League qualifying after this weekend. The Hoops already know ten of their potential 16 opponents but as many as four of those unknown spots could be filled over the coming days.

Let’s take a look at a couple of champions who should be crowned soon.

Poland

The Polish top-fight is by far the most intriguing title race. It could also have consequences for Celtic. Piast Gliwice look likely to win their first ever Ekstraklasa title. They’re two points ahead of Legia Warsaw going into the final round of fixtures on Sunday.

They just need to match Legia’s results to win the league. If they do so then they will be unseeded for the opening round of qualification – making them potential opponents for Celtic.

Bulgaria

Ludogorets are in pole position in Bulgaria as they close in on title number eight-in-a-row. The Eagles are three points ahead of CSKA Sofia with just three games to go. Celtic shouldn’t fear though. Their lofty coefficient means we wouldn’t face them until the third round of qualification at the earliest.

Unplaced champions

Both Stockholm (Sweden) and Suduva (Lithuania) have already won their league but are waiting in limbo to find out if they’ll be seeded or not. The Lithuanian side, who Celtic faced in the Europa League this season, will almost certainly be unseeded and therefore possible opponents for Celtic.

Stockholm’s fate will depend on the Polish title. If Piast win the league then Stockholm should take the final seeded spot. If Legia do it then the Swedes could be potential opponents for Celtic.

The Montenegrin champions (likely to be Sutjeska) will also be able to draw Celtic in the opening round.

Finally, both Sarajevo (Bosnia) and Pyunik (Armenia) are likely to clinch their respective leagues over the course of the next fortnight. Both would be potential opponents for Celtic.

The final list

Celtic’s potential opponents in the first round of Champions League qualifying: Valletta (Malta), Cluj (Romania), Ferencvaros (Hungary), Kalju Nomme (Estonia), Partizani Tirana (Albania), Valur (Iceland), Linfield (Northern Ireland), Torshavn (Faroe Islands), Riga (Latvia), Saburtalo (Georgia), *Sarajevo (Bosnia), *Piast (Poland), *Pyunik (Armenia), *Suduva (Lithuania), *Sutjeska (Montenegro), winner of preliminary qualifying round

(* denotes team not yet confirmed)