Celtic v Juventus Betting Preview
Another big European night for the Scottish Champions as they take on the round of sixteen for the first time in five years. It is also another massively difficult opponent for them, after having to face up to Barcelona in the group stage. However, Neil Lennon’s men did themselves proud there against the Catalans, so can they reproduce it against the Serie A leaders? Juventus remain powerfully strong in Italy and have already played their part in dumping the reigning champions Chelsea out of the competition. Eleven years ago the two met and contested two brilliant group stage fixtures.
Celtic v Juventus Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
Juventus 5/6, Draw 27/10, Celtic 15/4
Celtic v Juventus Recommended Bet:
What another big night for Celtic. They will be calling on memories from eleven years ago, when the Hoops produced a thrilling 4-3 win at Celtic Park against Juventus. That was in the group stage in 2001 and boss Neil Lennon played for the Scottish side in both of those matches. After losing 3-2 in Turin, they held on in a real barnstorming match for a famous 4-3 home win. After toppling Barcelona 2-1 at Celtic Park in the group stage, the Hoops came away from all three of their home games undefeated. So that is some big momentum for them to carry forth into this one. Something else which should give Celtic some confidence, is that they haven’t lost in eight home games against Serie A sides now. They faced Udinese in the Europa League group stage last season and took a draw in their most recent encounter with an Italian side. So overall, Celtic hold a very solid W4 D4 L1 record at home against Italian sides. overall it is a W5 D7 L7 record for them. This is just the third time that the Bhoys have been in the knockout stage of the Champions League, never having made it to the quarter finals. In all competitions Celtic have now won their last seven in a row at Celtic Park.
Juventus are in great domestic and European form, currently leading Serie A in their title defence. They went through the group stage unbeaten and haven’t lost in their last 16 European fixtures. This is the tenth time that they have been in the knockout stage of the Champions League and so experience is all on their side. It has been a while though, the last time they were here was in the 2008/09 season, where they lost out against Chelsea. They did take two draws and one win on the road through this season’s group stage. Juve now have not been beaten away from home in Europe since back in 2010 when they lost against Fulham. Since that defeat, they have gone eight away matches without defeat, winning three and drawing five. Against Scottish sides they have taken a W2 D1 L3 on their previous visits to Scotland, recently having lost on three of their last four trips there. They have lost both of their previous visits to face Celtic. So not a strong record at all and it could lead to Celtic battling to a draw here. It will probably be very important for Celtic to get as much as they can out of the home tie, as Juventus have only lost two of thirteen Serie A games in Turin, where they have conceded at a rate of just 0.6 goals per game.
Juventus are the favourites here, but Celtic can be confident and a draw may not be a bad option to go with at a price of 27/10 at online bookmaker Bet Victor.
Form
Celtic WWLWWW, Juventus WDDLWW
Stat Attack
Celtic have won their last seven home matches in a row in all competitions
Juventus have lost on their two previous visits to Scotland to face Celtic
Celtic’s home record against Italian sides is a very good W5 D7 L7
The away record in Scotland for Juventus is W2 D1 L3
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