Thursday 30th August 2000hrs Celtic v FK Suduva Football – Europe – Europa League These two dropped out of Champions League qualification and are now competing for the second prize of playing in the group stages of the Europa League. It was a really stuffy first leg and it means there is still plenty riding on the return at Celtic Park on Thursday which may not have been the expectation of most when these teams were drawn against each other. The home team are massive favourites to progress but we’ll look for a better value betting tip as Celtic host FK Suduva for a place in the group stage.
Celtic got off to the perfect start in the first leg last week with Olivier Ntcham’s goal in the opening stages seemingly setting them on their way. Many would have expected the hoops to push on from that and get another couple of goals to make the second leg something of a formality but what materialised was very different. Brendan Rodgers men conceded a very sloppy goal and despite finishing the first half strongly they had to settle for a disappointing draw. The second half was extremely frustrating as the Scottish champions failed to break down a stubborn home team, making very few chances. It prompted Rodgers to publicly criticise his team’s attitude. That in itself is not a great sign and as we approach an extremely important week in the club’s season which will determine if they compete in the group stages of a European competition and face Rangers at home on Sunday in the first Glasgow derby of the season. There’s also the small matter of the transfer window closing between those games and Rodgers has made no secret that he feels the squad needs additions if it is to continue to progress.
Suduva were given very little chance ahead of last Thursday and they would have even thought themselves that any chance they may have had disappeared when losing a goal so early. To their immense credit the Lithuanians responded really well and although helped by Celtic’s defensive deficiencies, equalised before hanging in to take a credible draw. They know they’ll be severely up against it as they travel to Glasgow’s East End and will also have awful memories of their last visit to Celtic Park when going down 8-1 in the UEFA Cup back in 2002. It would seem unlikely that they will be on the receiving end of a similar score line this time around and they will be dreaming of getting their best ever result which would see them reach the group stages for the first ever time. It may be improbable but Suduva won away in the last round and showed in the first leg they can defend well, frustrating Celtic.
Celtic v FK Suduva Betting Tip
On paper this looks a very straightforward task for the home team who have vastly superior players and resources compared to their opponents. As we all know, though, football isn’t played on paper and Celtic have not been in great form of late – at both ends of the pitch. Much has been made of their weaknesses in defence but there have been failings going forward, too. Sunday’s league match at home to Hamilton was the perfect chance to grab a few goals but they had to make do with a solitary strike to get the three points and as alluded to above they struggled to create much in the second half against Suduva. The visitors are going to be look to play on that uncertainty as much as they can and will set up to frustrate and hope to take advantage of any set pieces they may get, as well as striking on the counter.
Although it wasn’t a vintage performance last week there were still stages where it was obvious how much better Celtic were. I am going to bank on that being even more evident in the return leg and take the home team to win both halves against their Lithuanian visitors.
Selection: Celtic to win both halves 49/50 @ Marathon Bet
