Celtic v Red Bull Salzburg
Thursday 13th December 2000hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick: Both teams to score
Bookmaker: William Hill
Odds: 7/10 (odds taken Wednesday 12 December, 19.58)
Group B looked as though it was going to be one of the toughest sections in this year’s Europa League when the draw was made and it has panned out that way. Salzburg have been excellent and have taken maximum points from their five games so far, whilst Celtic and RB Leipzig are involved in a fascinating battle with one of them likely to be eliminated on nine points. It promises to be a magnificent European night under the lights at Celtic Park on Thursday – continue reading for a match preview of Celtic against RB Salzburg, with a selected best betting tip.
Celtic
Successive defeats away to the Red Bull clubs on matchdays two and three had left Celtic with no margin for error in their efforts to qualify for the knockout phase. Sitting on just three points, the Scottish champions were required to essentially take seven points at least from their final three matches and put themselves in a position to qualify. Brendan Rodgers men have been able to do that with an excellent 2-1 win at home to Leipzig, followed by a professional 1-0 victory away to Rosenborg. That, coupled with Salzburg maintaining their 100% record in the group by beating Leipzig, has put the Hoops in a good position with their fate in their own hands. A draw will ensure their passage to the last 32, as would a win, but a defeat would likely spell the end of their participation in this season’s Europa League as Leipzig are massively favoured over Rosenborg to get three points. The Germans have a better head to head record against Celtic which would see them finish above them should they be level on points after tomorrow’s games.
Red Bull Salzburg
They reached the semi final last season and Salzburg are looking very good to go a long way in the Europa League once again. Of course, they would have preferred to not be playing in the competition having missed out on the Champions League once again, but they’re going the right away about taking advantage of dropping into it. They’ve coasted virtually every one of their five matches in the group stage, scoring 15 goals – eight of them coming away from home. They started as they wished to go on by beating Leipzig away from home on match day one and will be looking to bookend the group by gaining another three points on Thursday in Glasgow. Some may argue that they have nothing to play for with first place already guaranteed but as well as their competitive nature and looking to maintain that 100% record, we know about the association between the Red Bull clubs and they will be hoping to do their German colleagues a favour. They remain unbeaten in all competitions so far this season but did drop points away from home at the weekend.
Celtic v Red Bull Salzburg Betting Advice
Although Celtic took the lead away from home against Salzburg, they were very much second best and there looked to be a gulf in quality between the two teams. It was at a stage of the season where Celtic were struggling for consistency but they’re now in much better form, as shown by winning their last two Europa League games, winning the Scottish League Cup and ascending to the top of their domestic league. That, combined with playing at home this time, will mean they are more confident of getting a result. Whilst Celtic have been improving, Salzburg have been powering past most of their opponents and now have a 14 point lead at the top after just 17 games. It’s a remarkable record and one that shows no sign of stopping anytime soon.
Celtic’s task is made somewhat easier because they do not need a win and the length of their opponents unbeaten record shows how difficult it is to get the better of them. Rodgers will ultimately send his team out for the win, though, as he is an attacking manager by trade, and with Salzburg having nothing to lose this looks set to be a very entertaining game. These are two teams who love to get forward there are goals across both squads. The first meeting ended with both teams finding the net and this second clash can go the same way.
