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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Celtic endured the worst possible warm-up for Wednesday’s crunch clash with Midtjylland by suffering a 6-2 hammering at home to West Ham in a pre-season friendly. Of particular concern for Ange Postecoglou will be the fact that Celtic’s team was arguably as strong as it could have been at Parkhead on Saturday evening and should have been closer to full fitness too.
Granted, three of West Ham’s goals came after Postecoglou made a raft of changes, while Celtic’s players would also have been forgiven for casting one eye on Wednesday’s second leg, but the 6-2 mauling was indicative of a disappointing debut pre-season for Postecoglou.
The Australian manager admitted that he has “not done a great job so far” since landing the Celtic job earlier in the summer and said that his team will never be worse prepared than they were for their first leg draw with FC Midtjylland.
Champions League qualifying second round, second leg: FC Midtjylland v Celtic (1-1 from first leg) Wednesday 6.45pm: Premier Sports 1
Last week’s 1-1 draw wasn’t a bad result in the circumstances considering Celtic’s squad was badly depleted through injuries. Celtic were also hampered by Nir Bitton’s sending off on 44 minutes, making a draw all the more positive.
However, it will have been disappointing to surrender the lead once Midtjylland were also reduced to ten and Postecoglou will no doubt be ruing his side’s inability to kill the game off. Nevertheless, Celtic will have taken encouragement from last week’s draw and are more than capable of getting a Win in Denmark on Wednesday.
A combination of injuries and suspensions have forced Postecoglou to trust in youth, especially in defence. Celtic are likely to line-out with a back four made up of players under the age of 23 at the MCH Arena on Wednesday night due to Bitton’s suspension and an injury to Christopher Jullien.
Bitton’s moment of recklessness has left his manager with a selection headache on Wednesday night and leaves Celtic with an incredibly inexperienced back four. It is difficult to see such an inexperienced defence keeping a clean sheet, especially when they were ripped apart by West Ham in Saturday’s friendly.
At the other end, Celtic produced more than enough opportunities last week to suggest that they are capable of breaching the Midtjylland defence again with Both Teams Scoring. They just may need to do so on two occasions if they are to progress to the third round of the Champions League qualifiers.
Odsonne Edouard may be perennially linked with a move away from Celtic Park, but he remains by far and away the best striker at the club. The French striker endured a somewhat difficult campaign last season and yet still ended as the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer, while his goals in Europe also proved pivotal to Celtic’s season.
Edouard spurned a glorious opportunity to put Celtic two goals ahead on Tuesday when he raced clear on goal only to shoot tamely at Jonas Lossl. However, Edouard is in the shop window and will be aware that an influential performance on the European stage may help secure a move away from Celtic Park over the summer.
A crucial goal in a Celtic win on Wednesday night would certainly pique the interest of Edouard’s potential suitors and is not beyond the realms of possibility. Our long shot here is Edouard to Score First and Celtic to Win.
Football Tips: 3 best bets as Celtic travel to Midtjylland in the Champions League
It's do or die for Ange Postecoglou and pals.
By Shane O'Brien / Football Tips / 2 years ago
The social sharing buttons have been hidden due to cookie preferences. Please allow functional cookies for this to work.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Celtic endured the worst possible warm-up for Wednesday’s crunch clash with Midtjylland by suffering a 6-2 hammering at home to West Ham in a pre-season friendly. Of particular concern for Ange Postecoglou will be the fact that Celtic’s team was arguably as strong as it could have been at Parkhead on Saturday evening and should have been closer to full fitness too.
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Granted, three of West Ham’s goals came after Postecoglou made a raft of changes, while Celtic’s players would also have been forgiven for casting one eye on Wednesday’s second leg, but the 6-2 mauling was indicative of a disappointing debut pre-season for Postecoglou.
The Australian manager admitted that he has “not done a great job so far” since landing the Celtic job earlier in the summer and said that his team will never be worse prepared than they were for their first leg draw with FC Midtjylland.
Champions League qualifying second round, second leg: FC Midtjylland v Celtic (1-1 from first leg)
Wednesday 6.45pm: Premier Sports 1
Value Bet: Celtic to win
Last week’s 1-1 draw wasn’t a bad result in the circumstances considering Celtic’s squad was badly depleted through injuries. Celtic were also hampered by Nir Bitton’s sending off on 44 minutes, making a draw all the more positive.
However, it will have been disappointing to surrender the lead once Midtjylland were also reduced to ten and Postecoglou will no doubt be ruing his side’s inability to kill the game off. Nevertheless, Celtic will have taken encouragement from last week’s draw and are more than capable of getting a Win in Denmark on Wednesday.
Safe Bet: Both Teams to Score
A combination of injuries and suspensions have forced Postecoglou to trust in youth, especially in defence. Celtic are likely to line-out with a back four made up of players under the age of 23 at the MCH Arena on Wednesday night due to Bitton’s suspension and an injury to Christopher Jullien.
Bitton’s moment of recklessness has left his manager with a selection headache on Wednesday night and leaves Celtic with an incredibly inexperienced back four. It is difficult to see such an inexperienced defence keeping a clean sheet, especially when they were ripped apart by West Ham in Saturday’s friendly.
At the other end, Celtic produced more than enough opportunities last week to suggest that they are capable of breaching the Midtjylland defence again with Both Teams Scoring. They just may need to do so on two occasions if they are to progress to the third round of the Champions League qualifiers.
Long Shot: Odsonne Edouard to score first & Celtic to win
Odsonne Edouard may be perennially linked with a move away from Celtic Park, but he remains by far and away the best striker at the club. The French striker endured a somewhat difficult campaign last season and yet still ended as the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer, while his goals in Europe also proved pivotal to Celtic’s season.
Edouard spurned a glorious opportunity to put Celtic two goals ahead on Tuesday when he raced clear on goal only to shoot tamely at Jonas Lossl. However, Edouard is in the shop window and will be aware that an influential performance on the European stage may help secure a move away from Celtic Park over the summer.
A crucial goal in a Celtic win on Wednesday night would certainly pique the interest of Edouard’s potential suitors and is not beyond the realms of possibility. Our long shot here is Edouard to Score First and Celtic to Win.
Tips for Midtjylland v Celtic
Value Bet: Celtic to Win
Safe Bet: Both Teams to Score
Long Shot: Odsonne Edouard to score first & Celtic to win
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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