Thursday 10th December Kickoff: 1800hrs
Fenerbache v Celtic
Football – Europe – Europa League
With the Champions League group stage now complete, attention now switches to the Europa League as teams battle it out for the remaining spots in the last 32. One of those teams is Fenerbache who sit second in group A and will qualify if they can get at least a point from the fixture. Not such scenario for Celtic, however, who will definitely finish bottom in the section following their third consecutive defeat in this group, when losing at home to Ajax.
The campaign got off to the worst possible start for Fenerbache after losing 3-1 at home to Molde on match day one. That remains their only defeat, though, having recovered with a couple of wins and draws apiece in their following four games. The second of those wins came last time out in the away game against the Norwegians – who will top the group if they avoid defeat away to Ajax – and it’s those three points which has put them in prime position for the next stage. Things could have been very different, however, if the Turkish club had not fought back from two goals down to retrieve a draw in Glasgow, against Celtic. Had they went on to lose that game it would have made qualification a much more difficult task.
What appeared to start quite brightly for Celtic has turned into something of a nightmare. Ronny Deila’s men were more than worth consecutive 2-2 draws with Ajax and Fenerbache to open the section, and having led in both games, would have been disappointed not to have a better return of two points. Since then it has been nothing short of a disaster with back to back defeats against Molde followed by the disheartening home loss against the Amsterdam club. Defensive mistakes have blighted the Hoops’ performances and they will be left to lick their wounds for another eight months before they can participate in European competition as a result. Whether or not the current managerial team will be in place to oversee that is another matter.
Although the signings of Nani and Robin Van Persie grabbed the headlines for Fenerbache this summer, it has been another acquisition in the form of Brazilian striker Fernandao whose goals have propelled them to the brink of qualifying from this group. He has scored four of his club’s six goals, including both when these two teams met at Celtic Park. So whilst the other two have been sharing goals in the domestic league, it’s the former Bursaspor striker who has been instrumental for Fenerbache in Europe.
You have to go back to October of last year for when Celtic last won a game in the Europa League – a run of 10 without one. It’s that sort of form which has put Deila and his coaching staff under more pressure than ever before. The lack of progression from this year to last is concerning and with so many defensive errors during this campaign, there will be some questions asked of where the club go from here. Before that, though, there remains 90 minutes of football left in what is so often a very daunting atmosphere. The last thing the Celtic manager will be wanting is a heavy defeat to conclude proceedings.
Fenerbache v Celtic Betting Tips
Both these clubs would have been equally disappointed having to compete in the Europa League considering they were in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. Failure there was always going to be a hammer blow but Fenerbache have certainly dealt with it better than the Scottish champions.
Although the hosts know that a draw will be sufficient for them to qualify alongside Molde, it’s very unlikely that they will set out their stall and settle for one point. Another motivation for them is that a win could possibly see them top the group depending on results elsewhere. It is very much about pride now for the visitors who will certainly not want to finish without a win in the section. I have my doubts whether they will be good enough to take all three points but I definitely think that they are capable of causing their hosts problems. Celtic have scored in all five of their Europa League games this season and with the pressure off, will be able to express themselves. More importantly, Kris Commons and James Forrest return to the squad having missed the Ajax game with injury.
Fenerbache are rightly favoured here by the bookmakers and I would be surprised if they were not successful on the night, booking their place in the last 32. I can see Celtic getting a goal, however, and with all five of their group games resulting in both teams scoring, I feel it offers better value than going with over 2.5 goals.
Both teams to score 5/6 @ Boylesports
