CELTIC are back in Europa League knockout action on Thursday night with a tough trip to Valencia. Scottish football expert Mr Fixit (@MrFixitTips) previews the encounter.
Valencia v Celtic | Thursday 21st February 2019, 20:00 | BT Sport
Celtic face mission impossible in Spain on Thursday with bookies making them 20/1 to reach the Last 16 of the Europa League, To be honest I’d want double or treble those odds from Betfred to even consider backing a miracle at the Mestalla.
In reality Celtic’s Europa League hopes were booted into touch with a 2-0 home defeat and pride is all Brendan Rodgers’s can salvage.
There are positive noises coming from the club about the tie not being over and if Celtic score first they might give Valencia something to think about.
However, that will be easier said than done. Valencia have kept three clean sheets in a row in La Liga including back-to-back 0-0s. They don’t concede at will and draw plenty of games – 14 in 24 in the league.
The gulf between the sides at Parkhead was so big, the bet that tempts me most is a home win at 13/20 with Betfair.
Valencia and both to score returns 13/5 at Betfair while Celtic are 4/6 at 888 just to score and to have any chance of qualifying they need at least at two which is 7/2 with Unibet.
Domestically Celtic are an attacking side but in Europe those tactics have produced a few hidings. But Rodgers finds it tough to go to defensive so a 0-0 here is unlikely.
To win on the night Celtic are 5/1 while a draw pays 16/5 and only the most optimistic Hoops fan would back either.
Kevin Gameiro is Valencia’s leading marksman and is 9/2 at BetVictor to score first while for Celtic their biggest threat could come from Scott Sinclair who is 12/1. Oli Burke and Timo Weah have made impressions since joining in January but this will probably be a night for Odsonne Edoaurd who is 7/2 at Betfair to net at any time.
TOPICS Europa League Tips European Football Football Scottish Football Betting TipsBest Bets
Valencia v Celtic – Valencia to win (13/20 Betfair)
Valencia v Celtic – Valencia to win and Both Teams To Score (13/5 Betfair)
