Alashkert v Celtic UEFA Champions League, 10th July 5.00pm
Celtic begin their UEFA Champions League journey for the season on Tuesday night. This is a really early start for Brendan Rodgers’ men as they make a long trip to Armenia to take on Alashkert. This will be the first meeting between the two clubs. This is the first leg of the First Qualifying Round. Read our Alashkert v Celtic betting tips for full insights. The loser of this goes to the Europa League qualifiers.
Alashkert v Celtic Betting Odds*
(Betting Odds taken at 1:16 a.m. on July 8th, 2018)
Alashkert News and Form
This is going to be a big night for the Armenians taking on one of Europe’s big names. It’s hard to get a feel for this really because they are pretty much unknown and this is the opening competitive game of the summer for both sides. Last season in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers they did get to the second qualifying round after making progress past Santa Coloma in the first. They then lost there 4-2 on aggregate to Bate Borisov in the second qualifying round. They did also get past the first qualifying round the season before as well. This almost feels like a one-off cup tie for the Yellows who have to get something out of this home game to stand a remote chance of creating a major upset. All that they will be hoping for is a big effort and a bit of luck in catching Celtic cold so we like the look of over 2.5 goals at bet365 for even money* (Betting Odds taken at 1:16 a.m. on July 8th, 2018). They will recognise that they have to have a go at this first leg. The Armenians did beat St Johnstone in the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League qualifiers.
Celtic News and Form
Celtic wouldn’t be too stressed if they got out of this away trip with a 0-0 draw really. Their big nights are going to be back at Parkhead. In this away game for them though, we are going to lean on them conceding so the both teams to score option at bet365 is at 13/8 odds* (Betting Odds taken at 1:16 a.m. on July 8th, 2018) and just worth a flutter. Obviously Celtic are the better team of these two, but the Scottish Champions will be working on their match fitness and sharpness as none of that is going to be there yet. They have been quiet in the transfer market over the summer but got Edouard in a permanent deal from PSG so the youngster will bolster their attacking options. Celtic should make it through this tie at the end of the day and pretty comfortably at that, even if they don’t win this first leg on the road. It’s just one of those strange games where the overall quality isn’t going to be there and Celtic aren’t going to be at full strength. It is back at Celtic Park where Celtic will really be in control.
Alashkert v Celtic Head to Head
Celtic have never met Alashkert before.
Winners play Valur Reykjavík/Rosenborg in the second qualifying round
Losers meet Astana/Sutjeska in the Europe League second qualifying round
Who will win – Alashkert v Celtic Predictions
This should be comfortable enough for Celtic in the end (the tie) but this is just one of those strange games where you have no way of knowing what you are going to get. We are sticking with a simple both teams to score option.
