AEK Athens v Celtic Betting Tip Both teams to score – 14 August 2018

Both teams capable of scoring in Athens

Champions League Tips

Tuesday 14th August 1900hrs AEK Athens v Celtic Football – Europe– Champions League  The expectation before last week’s game was that it was going to be a very competitive tie with little to choose between the two clubs. Halfway through and we have seen nothing to think anything different. The Greek champions will feel they have the advantage having netted a crucial away goal but it still looks to be a tie on a knife-edge. Their opponents have not enjoyed a great week but having reached the group stages for the past two years will feel they may have the edge in terms of experience in such a crucial game. Read on for the match preview and best betting tips as AEK Athens host Celtic.

AEK would have been delighted with the how first leg went in Glasgow last Wednesday. Considering it was their first competitive game of the season, the first game in charge for a new manager and they were also without their captain, the Greeks turned in a very solid and tidy performance. The circumstances of the game were not ideal, either, having went a goal behind early and then getting a man sent off in the opening stages of the second half. The AEK players never seem flustered though and they were actually pretty untroubled for the remainder of the game. I mentioned last week that their domestic success in the previous campaign was build on an excellent defence and that was evident when stifling Celtic’s attack. They’ve left themselves in a strong position now but the job is still only half done and being at home could well change how they set up for the second leg. They were happy to allow Celtic possession for the most part and may yet adopt the same approach but the onus will be on them to asset some authority in front of their own supporters.

There has been little in the way of negativity for Celtic since Brendan Rodgers arrived in Glasgow as manager just over two years ago but it has been a testing last seven days. Rodgers relationship with Chief Executive Peter Lawwell appears to have strained over disagreements on the transfer front and that has been played out in Public. Events of the pitch have only compounded this feeling of frustration amongst the Celtic support with a seemingly damaging 1-1 draw with AEK last week followed up by a 1-0 loss to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend. The Hoops now face an uphill battle to qualify for the playoff round in the Champions League and although they have only played a couple of games in the SPFL it was their earliest loss in a league campaign for 12 seasons. You would think that little else could go wrong between Saturday and Tuesday but the news of Dedryck Boyata essentially going on strike and refusing to play certainly achieved that. It would be ridiculous to suggest that Rodgers job is even remotely under threat should they lose to AEK Athens but it would not help the mood any in the East end of Glasgow and would be seen as something of a preventable failure.

AEK Athens v Celtic Betting Tips

When Callum McGregor opened the scoring last week there was a period when it looked like Celtic could go on and overwhelm their opponents. AEK did will to recover, however, and scoring their goal when they did was a massive change of mindset heading into the second half. It appeared to spook Celtic and when playing against 10 men they started to force the issue more and more, with some of the quality going out their play. AEK were solid in defence and coped well with anything Celtic threw at them, they failed to carry any threat themselves for the last half hour but managed the game well and will be looking to do the same in the second leg. The visitors will have to pose more problems and they could be boosted with an earlier than thought return for Moussa Dembele. The French striker has been missing for a month with injury but has travelled with the squad. His physical attributes would be a massive advantage for this type of game.

The winners of this tie will face Malmo of Sweden or Vidi from Hungary. As such, you would fancy that whoever wins between Celtic and AEK Athens would have a terrific chance of reaching the group stage. That indicates just how important this game is for both and the rewards it would bring with it, especially financially. AEK look to have the advantage but this could well be a tie that goes all the way and for that to happen both teams have to score which I think is the way to go. Celtic will be a threat going forward with Dembele returning but they have looked fragile of late in defence and there’s little confidence in them keeping a clean sheet. It would be one of the best results under Rodgers should Celtic progress which emphasises just how difficult the task is.

Selection Both teams to score 21/20 @ William Hill