Celtic vs Raith Rovers
23 September 1945hrs
Football – Scotland – League Cup
Pick Second half to be highest scoring
Bookmaker Betvictor
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 2000 GMT, Wednesday 22 September
Celtic have lost four of their last five games and will be hoping to get back to winning ways when hosting Raith Rovers in the League Cup on Thursday night.
Table of Contents
Celtic Preview – Will Celtic return to winning ways and put bad run behind them?
Ange Postecoglou’s appointment during the summer was always seen as something of a risk but following a very shaky start which included a feeble elimination from the Champions League qualifiers, the signs began to get more promising that the team were going in the right direction. Six straight wins and scoring 24 goals in the process had the support more confident that they could regain the title they lost last season for the first time in a decade.
Results and performances have tailed off since then, though, and Sunday’s defeat to Livingston was their fourth loss in the last five games across domestic and European competition. It was also Celtic’s sixth loss in seven away games with their only victory on the road coming against Jablonec.
For all the attacking threats Celtic have and their free-scoring style at home, they’ve managed just one goal in three away Premiership matches and have not won away in the league since February. The coach may have changed and overseen a big transition in the playing personnel but the same issues continue to blight this team.
Postecoglou has not been helped with a lot of injuries to key players but the strength in depth isn’t there so it will be a similar team who takes the field in this game. Celtic are attempting to reach the semi-finals of this competition for the seventh time in the last eight seasons.
Raith Rovers Preview – Can Rovers spring a huge shock and repeat the feat of ’94?
Raith were excellent last season following promotion from League One, making it all the way to the promotion playoffs only to lose out to the eventual winners of said playoffs, Dundee. As can so often be the case for teams who go through that heartache it has been a slower start to this campaign.
Rovers have lost two of their first five games but did earn a crucial win on Saturday when defeating Greenock Morton away from home. That is their second win of the season and moved them into fifth spot. They’re nine points off the leaders but do have a game in hand over all the teams above them and a win in that would take them back into the top four.
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John McGlynn will be hoping his team can go on a run in the league to propel them into playoff contention in what looks to be the most open title races in the division for a long time. Before that it’s all about cup action and attempting to pull off a huge upset.
Rovers’ have already enjoyed a massive result en route to this stage with knocking out Aberdeen in the previous round. A 2-1 victory at home came on the back of finishing top of their section during the group phase.
Celtic vs Raith Rovers Betting Advice
This is a repeat of the 1994 League Cup final when Raith Rovers recorded their biggest ever achievement beating Celtic on penalties. There will be some pointing to this Celtic team as having the same vulnerabilities as the one that lost that day but they are a different animal at home compared to playing away.
The Hoops are undefeated at home this season winning their last six. They’ve scored six goals on two occasions and it’s likely they will prevail in this tie.
Key Facts – Celtic vs Raith Rovers Betting Tip
- Celtic may be struggling on the road but have won their last six at Celtic Park
- Raith have kept three clean sheets in four away games this season
- The teams met in the 1994 League Cup final which Raith won on penalties
Raith may frustrate them early on, however, having kept clean sheets in their last two away matches. Take the second half to be highest scoring in this one.
Best Betting Odds for Celtic vs Raith Rovers
