Celtic v Valencia
Thursday 14th February 2000hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League
Pick Draw
Bookmaker Betfred
Odds: 12/5 (odds taken 21.10 GMT, Wednesday 13th February)
Celtic Park is one of the most atmospheric stadiums in European football and it looks set to be another special occasion under the lights in Glasgow as the Scottish champions take on Valencia in the last 32 of the Europa League.
Europa League Betting at Betfred
Celtic Preview
Celtic were drawn in one of the hardest Europa League groups alongside the two Red Bull clubs, Salzburg and Leipzig, and their old friends Rosenborg. Brendan Rodgers men had gained nine points heading into their final game but looked like heading out as they were outclassed by the Austrian champions only for Rosenborg to score in the final stages away to Leipzig to give Celtic a reprieve. Their reward for that is a mouth-watering tie against La Liga opposition as the club attempt to go beyond this stage of the competition for the first time since they reached the final of the UEFA Cup back in 2003. The Hoops reached the same stage last year but despite beating Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 at home, they were well beaten in the away leg. Rodgers has been keen to build his team up bit by bit since they returned from their winter break in Dubai and on the evidence of their 5-0 win over St Johnstone at the weekend, they may just be peaking at the right time in what is going to be a massive test. It will also be the first opportunity that January signings Oliver Burke, Timo Weah and Jeremey Toljan have of playing in Europe for Celtic. All three have had an instant impact and brought much needed pace to the attack and will be relishing the opportunity of running out under the lights tomorrow evening.
Key-Facts – Celtic v Valencia
- Only Salzburg have won a match at Celtic Park this season as a visiting team
- Valencia have the highest number of draws in La Liga (13) and also drew two of their Champions League group stage games
- These sides last met in 2001 when Valencia edged out Celtic on penalties in the same round
Valencia Preview
It’s been somewhat of a frustrating season for Valencia who enjoyed such a terrific campaign the one previous. Marcelino led the club to a fourth placed finish in 2017/18 and automatic qualification for the Champions League. A significant investment was made in the squad and the expectation was it would be well equipped to deal with the stresses of another push for the top four and progression in Europe. It’s not materialised like that, though, and whilst they were drawn against both Juventus and Manchester United in the Champions League, there’s no doubt they would have been disappointed with how things turned out. They also spent long spells of the first half of the campaign in the lower reaches of La Liga but there are signs that Valencia are now beginning to improve as they continue to strive for a top four finish. Currently in eighth they are six points behind fourth placed Sevilla which they will feel they can overcome. Despite their troubles in the early part of the season, it should be noted that they have lost only four games all season in the league – only Barcelona and Atletico Madrid have lost fewer.
Celtic v Valencia Betting Preview
I have to admit to being biased but there is nothing like a European night under the floodlights at Celtic Park. It will be another full house for the visit of Valencia and Rodgers will be hoping that helps spur on his players as there’s no doubting Celtic face a much more technically superior team in the shape of the Spanish giants. How much of a priority this is for the visitors, however, is another thing as they know that despite winning the Europa League offering a direct passage into next year’s Champions League they would be required to play another seven games even if they get beyond this one.
Both sides come into this game with a number of injuries to key players but that’s somewhat expected at this stage of the season. Celtic have been strong at home in Europe thus far with Salzburg the only team to leave Glasgow with a win. Valencia are the draw specialists, though, and have already had 15 between La Liga and the Champions League. The visitors would be happy with another share of the spoils you feel and it looks the most likely outcome taking into account how strong Celtic are at home but also their opponents ability to frustrate the opposition.
