AIK v CELTIC
Europa League
Thursday 29th August 2019
Kickoff: 1800hrs
Pick: Both teams to score
Bookmaker: bwin
Odds: 1.95 (odds taken at 02:32 GMT, 28 August 2019)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.13 | 3.10 | 2.20 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of August 28 2019 at 02:32
The Europa League play-off 2nd legs get underway on Thursday evening and our next preview features the clash between Swedish side, AIK, and Scottish champions, Celtic, as the betting tips continue at the Friends Arena.
AIK Prediction – Can AIK overturn 2-goal deficit?
Thursday night’s hosts, AIK, have it all to do in this crucial 2nd leg of their Europa League play-off tie against Celtic as they were handed a 2-0 defeat away at Celtic Park last week and now find themselves attempting to chase down a 2-goal deficit at their Friends Arena.
However, all appears not lost as AIK quickly bounced back to record a convincing 3-1 win away at Ostersunds in the domestic Swedish Allsvenskan immediately following last week’s defeat at Celtic, which will give AIK a timely boost ahead of this return leg.
Having lost just 2 of their last 15 matches on home turf at their Friends Arena, AIK possess a pretty solid record in all competitions in their own backyard and will still fancy their chances of making life difficult for Celtic by staging a comeback on Thursday night.
AIK have also scored in 12 of these last 15 matches at home in all competitions, and the likes of midfielder, Larsson (3 goals) and forwards Elyounoussi (10 goals), Obasi (4 goals) and Goitom (3 goals) should ensure the hosts at least hit the back of the net on Thursday night.
Celtic Prediction – Can Celtic see out 2nd leg?
Celtic seemed to have shrugged off their recent 5-4 loss on aggregate to Romanian side, CFR Cluj, in the 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League, as they registered what could prove to be a vital 2-0 result in last week’s 1st leg of this Europa League play-off tie against AIK.
The Scottish Premier League title holders now find themselves just 90 minutes away from qualifying for the group stage of the Europa League, but Neil Lennon’s side aren’t expected to just sit back and absorb AIK’s attacks on Thursday night.
Overall results have seen Celtic suffer just 1 defeat out of their last 17 matches in all competitions, while away from home, The Bhuoys are unbeaten in their last 8 matches on the road – this impressive sequence on their travels includes 6 wins while 6 of these 8 matches have also resulted in both teams scoring.
Celtic’s naturally attacking approach to the game means goals usually feature pretty consistently in their matches, and having won just 2 of their last 19 away ties in the Europa League along with 11 of Celtic’s last 19 matches also resulting in both teams scoring, further goals look to be on the cards in this 2nd leg.
Key-Facts – AIK v Celtic
- AIK have lost just 2 of their last 15 matches on home turf in all competitions
- AIK have also scored in 12 of these last 15 matches at home
- 11 of Celtic’s last 19 away matches in the EL have resulted in both teams scoring
Betting Tips Verdict
AIK must go for it here while Celtic can’t help themselves but to press forward and have the quality to score again through the likes of Christie.
