Juventus v Celtic Betting Preview
After the highs of beating Barcelona in the group stage, Scottish Champions Celtic came back down to earth with a bang in the first leg of their clash against Juventus. Celtic Park was angry about the physical manhandling being done by the Juventus defence, and was then stunned as the Italian Champions ran out 3-0 winners. It is a massive uphill task for Celtic now, especially with Juventus on a long unbeaten run at home in Europe.
Juventus v Celtic Betting Odds at online bookmaker Unibet
Juventus 1/3, Draw 4/1, Celtic 8/1
Juventus v Celtic Recommended Bet:
This tie unfortunately for Scottish interest, may well be over. Both sides may be top of their respective domestic leagues, but there was a big difference between them on the night in Glasgow a couple of weeks ago. Juventus were simply ruthless and again showed why they are one of the best in Europe. The Old Lady are unbeaten on home soil in Europe for the last three years. That may well be too much for Celtic to overcome. Eleven years ago the two clashes in the group stage of the champions League, with Celtic winning 4-3 in Glasgow and Juventus winning 3-2 back in Turin in a thrilling match up. It looks more routine this time around though, as three unanswered goals in the first leg has left Juventus with one foot in the quarter finals. Juventus are now unbeaten in their last 17 matches in UEFA competition now and this is the tenth time that they have been at this stage. The last time they lost in Europe was back in March of 21010, losing at Fulham in the Europa League.
The Italian giants have won their last four European matches, all with clean sheets as well, and at home in Turin they have lost just one of their last 29 European fixtures (the loss coming back in 2009 against Bayern Munich). On the 34 previous occasions that Juventus has won the first leg away from home in European competition, they have never failed to progress. Juventus have also won six out of six matches against Scottish visitors and have kept a clean sheet on four of those occasions. Remember how they tore Chelsea apart in the group stage with a 4-0 win in turn. They are a powerfully clinical side. That is what Celtic are up against in the second leg and they have to now go out and just go for broke. There is nothing left to lose now, but at least there is the promise of away goals for themselves.
They covered themselves in praise with a tremendous performance at the Nou Camp against Barcelona in the group stage, and then beat the Catalans back at Glasgow Park. But both of those matches were by narrow margins, the Scottish Champions need three unanswered goals just to get to extra time and perhaps a shootout. Celtic have lost their last two matches on the road in Europe, going down against Barcelona and then Benfica in the group stage. Celtic have failed to win any of their last nine visits to Italy (W0 D3 L6). Overall against Italian sides, Celtic have a W5 D7 L8 record, but that away record puts them in serious trouble. This is only the third time that the Bhoys have been in the Champions League knockout stage, never having made it past the round of sixteen. Of the six previous times that they have lost the first leg of a UEFA tie at home, they have been knocked out on five of those occasions. A tough night ahead for Celtic.
Form
Juventus WWWLWD, Celtic LWDWLW
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