Mouna vs Yamoussoukro - Ligue 1

All eyes turn to the home ground on October 5, 2026 as Mouna welcome Yamoussoukro in a Ligue 1 encounter that promises tension, intrigue and no shortage of subplot. The 74-year-old Hoops boss admitted that "it'll be a bit strange not having the (Celtic) fans in but I'm nervously and excitedly looking forward to it; it's a great fixture" and also spoke about the police visit.

Both camps will view the Ligue 1 meeting at the home ground as an opportunity to put a marker down, regardless of where they currently stand. Mouna's recent form is difficult to quantify, but the occasion itself should bring the best out of them. Yamoussoukro will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. Those who followed Morocco's recent World Cup campaign will recognise the name Ayyoub Bouaddi.

Tactically, the contest promises a fascinating contrast. Mouna will look to impose their style on home soil, while Yamoussoukro are likely to have ideas of their own about how to gain the upper hand. But this approach also takes something that is almost anonymous in football - time.

Star players on both sides will be eager to make their mark, and the individual duels across the pitch could go a long way to deciding the outcome. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. He produced a sublime assist for Reijnders' goal and then played a huge part in Muamba's rebound finish as his shot after cutting inside was parried straight to the striker to tap home.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The Spaniard heading to Barca all but rules out a midfield departure from the Bernabeu and thus United will likely have to look elsewhere.