Celtic vs AZ Alkmaar
18th August 1945hrs
Football – Scotland – UEFA Europa League
Pick Home Win
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 23/20 odds taken 19:07 GMT August 15th, 2021
Celtic are through to the Play Off Round of the Europa League and get home advantage to start their tie.
They will be lining up against AZ Alkmaar from the Netherlands for a place in the group stage.
It may be vitally important for the Bhoys to get everything that they can out of this first leg at Parkhead.
Table of Contents
Celtic Preview – Celtic to prevail at Parkhead?
The new season of European competition did not get off on a high note for Celtic.
They fell from the UEFA Champions League qualifiers at the first attempt, losing out to Midjytlland.
That was an exit on a 3-2 aggregate after extra time in the second leg.
After losing their season opener in the Scottish Premier, it was definitely a rocky start.
But Celtic look to have turned the corner by winning their last four matches on the bounce in all competitions.
That started with a 4-2 road win at Jablonec in the Europa League qualifiers before Celtic claimed a 3-0 home win in the second leg.
That’s at least three goals that Celtic have scored in their last four matches in all competitions.
In the match outright for Wednesday night in this Europa League qualifier, the win for Celtic is at a quote of 23/10* (odds recorded 19:07 GMT August 15th 2021).
The one concern for them will be in defence.
There have been only two clean sheets in seven matches in all competitions this season.
Celtic were in last season’s Europa League Group stage, which turned out to be an uninspiring campaign.
They posted a W1 D1 L4 record in the group, which contained Milan, Sparta Prague and Lille.
The lone win in that sequence happened at Parkhead against Lille.
So that leaves them with a W3 D1 L3 record from their last seven European home games including qualification matches.
All in all, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise therefore if there is a decent return of goals in this match.
Over 2.5 goals for Europa League betting is at a quote of 8/11* (odds recorded 19:07 GMT August 15th 2021).
AZ Alkmaar Preview – Dutch side at a disadvantage?
There has only been one fixture for AZ Alkmaar this season. That ended in defeat on the weekend.
In the opening game of the new Eredivisie campaign, Alkmaar lost 1-0 at RKC Waalwijk on the weekend.
Alkmaar finished last season’s top-flight campaign with a third-place finish.
That was enough to get them straight through to the Play Off round of the Europa League.
But they are not going to be anywhere near as match sharp as Celtic.
So this on paper is a tricky opener away from home for them.
That is reflected in the match outright for football betting.
The away win is at a quote of 17/4* (odds recorded 19:07 GMT August 15th 2021).
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AZ Alkmaar started last season’s European campaign in the Champions League qualifiers.
They fell from there to end up in the group stage of the Europa League.
It was not a bad return of W2 D2 L2 from them in comparison to having been a tough group with Rijeka, Real Sociedad and Napoli.
But both defeats in that sequence happened out on the road and they failed to win any of their final four group stage games.
The Dutch side will probably be looking to stick in there and get something to play for back at home.
Celtic vs AZ Alkmaar Betting Advice
The home win looks the best option for football betting on this fixture as Celtic have hit form.
It’s been four straight wins for them, and the goals are flowing freely at the moment.
So the Celtic to win pick in the outright is a decent 23/20 option* (odds recorded 19:07 GMT August 15th 2021).
Key Facts – Celtic vs AZ Alkmaar Betting Tip
- Celtic have won 3 of their last 7 European home games
- Celtic are on a four match winning streak this season
- AZ Alkmaar and Celtic were both in last season’s Europa League group stage
That’s not to say Alkmaar are going to be a pushover, as they did alright in the Europa League last season, including a win at Napoli.
But they have had only one competitive match under their belt this season which ended in defeat.
Celtic to win to nil at 3/1 piques interest at longer odds* (odds recorded 19:07 GMT August 15th 2021).
The best betting odds for Celtic vs AZ Alkmaar
Celtic to win: 23/20 at Bet365
Draw: 5/2 at Bet365
AZ Alkmaar to win: 6/4 at Bet365
