celticvrangers

CELTIC brushed past Stjarnan fairly easily in their first Champions League qualifier but face a tougher test against Qarabag.

For those unfamiliar with the team Qarabag are Azerbaijan champions and not something you pay 5p for in the local supermarket.

They are team well backed with oil money and one that's been building a decent pedigree in Europe in recent seasons.

Celtic have home advantage on Wednesday and must make use of it ahead of a gruelling trip to Baku – although it's not as far as they travelled two seasons ago when they visited Kazakhstan.

Ronny Deila looks much better prepared than last season and even ditched the club's normal pre-season trips to the likes of Australian and the USA to fully energise the squad for a Champions League tilt.

He's strengthened the squad with the signing of Nadir Ciftci aim and a repeat of the 2-0 win notched against Stjarnan in the previous round would be perfect.

Celtic expect to score on the road so they'd be setting Qarabag an impossible target of winning 4-1 in Baku.

Qarabag are streets better than Stjarnan but Celtic's fitness levels are improving all the time and I expect them to win but best price available is a skinny 4-9 from McBookie and BetVictor.

To win to nil – as they've done in seven of their last eight qualifiers – Celtic are 23-20 at McBookie and BetVictor and to succeed by at least two goals you can have 13-10 at William Hill and bet365.

A 2-0 win pays 11-2 at McBookie while 1-0 is 5-1 at William Hill.

It's worth noting Qarabag are an “unders” team with 10 of their last 11 matches in Europe producing fewer than three goals. Under 2.5 goals tonight is 13-17 at 888sport.

Qarabag have defeated Rosenborg, Wisla Krakow and Twente Enschede in recent seasons and last term they reached the Europa League groups and drew with St Etienne twice, held Inter Milan and beat losing finalists Dnipro.

However, they disappointed in the last round by beating Rudar just 1-0 on aggregate and Celtic will hope that's the side that turns up.

Ciftci is once again starting at the expense of Leigh Griffiths but the Turk has yet to open his account so playing up front on his own is a risk.

New centre-half Dedryck Boyata has posed a goal threat and is 12-1 at boylesports to net at any time. To net first he is 40-1 at Ladbrokes and William Hill.

Another possibility is Gary Mackay-Steven who has netted in four of Celtic's pre-season friendlies including Rennes at the weekend. He missed the Stjarnan home leg after picking up a knock in the warm-up but is fully fit again and should start.

Recommended Bets

Celtic to win to nil WIN
(23-20, McBookie)

Boyata to score WIN
(12-1, boylesports)

34 Comments
  1. Fillgoose 9 years ago

    I fancy celtic to get beat 3-1, this team are no pushovers and celtic are not the best.

  2. connor 9 years ago

    Celtic are 4/9 at William Hill?

    • Mr Fixit 9 years ago

      connor, best price Celtic to win is 4-9 with various firms. Celtic not to lose is 1-10.

  3. Stubhoy 9 years ago

    I agree with you Mr F If the Hoops can keep a clean sheet tonight i would be very surprised if they didnt go on to qualify.
    Reading that Charlie Mulgrew is out so they will probably go with Van Dijk Boyata with Izaguirre and Lustig.
    Midfield will be key also and if celtic can boss the midfield then thats going to create chances for the strikers.
    This just mabey the perfect type of match for Stefan Scepovic to play in although if he does take part it will be from the bench. He seems to thrive on european games and would be a major threat especially in the away leg.
    As for the betting im going for Unders 8/11 (Bet 365) as i said on yesterdays thread with also Cetic by winning margin of 1 9/4 (Bet 365).

  4. Duncan Poundcake 9 years ago

    Alex 1/10 will be for draw no bet

  5. Callum g 9 years ago

    Couldn’t agree more with Alex walker.

    Celtic are poor. Even last year getting knocked out TWICE from the CL. This side are not oozing quality but enough to hold them

    7/4 not to lose is tempting but qarabag (+2) at 4/7 looks great value. So even if Celtic manage to scrape a 1-0 or 2-1 this market will still be up. I’ll on later to say told u so. Can’t believe people think this will be a walk over.

    • Mr Fixit 9 years ago

      Callum g, I don’t know who’s saying it will be walkover because it won’t. But you can’t judge Celtic on last year’s displays as Deila was just in the door and they’re better and more prepared than they were a year ago.

  6. Alves 9 years ago

    2-0 tae the mighty hoops tonight folks, flying tge flag for Scotland along tge sleeping giants Aberdeen ;)

  7. jimmybeee 9 years ago

    Celtic are not the team of old at celtic park where the mighty fell.
    This back 4 leaks goals for fun and the system is not good enough at this level.
    I believe Celtic will go out at this stage as the defence is very open and not strong enough to cope. Though I hope I am wrong.
    Delia is a very lucky man to be in charge I still don’t think he should be the manager of Celtic.
    Quarabag should have qualified at the expense of Dnipro last season from their group, but for a terrible decision to disallow a goal in injury time in the final match against Inter Milan.
    Celtic will have to be very wary of the quick counter attacks from this side who as well as having a core of home based players have Brazilian influence in their attack.
    They will not be intimidated at Celtic and have a very passionate home support too, so should be a cracker of a couple of games. Quarabag to qualify is the bet for me.
    But good luck to the hoops and hope they prove me wrong

  8. Callum g 9 years ago

    Not saying it’s going to be the same just would t surprise me if this game finished 0-0 or even a shock tonight. This could be one of those games that get remembered for all the wrong reasons for Celtic fans.

    I’ll be on qarabag (+2) at 4/7.

    Also put a small stake on qarabag to win at 15/2

  9. Chris Guy 9 years ago

    The price for 1-0 Celtic is being cut everywhere. I just went into PaddyPower and the price has been cut to 18/5. Just to let everyone know Coral shops have coupons and Celtic are 6/1 for 1-0. They also have it on their screen at 6/1. I just stuck the bet on in the Clydebank shop at 12:43pm.

    • Mr Fixit 9 years ago

      Chris, I’ve tipped 1-0 or 2-0 but a correct score price shouldn’t drop that much.

  10. PedroJord 9 years ago

    Can’t see anything but a Celtic win tonight. 8th game of the pre season tonight, 6 wins and one defeat so far with 4 clean sheets. 18 goals scored, 7 conceded (5 in the one match against Dukla Prague when Deila tinkered with systems).

    I don’t know where the leaking goals comments come from this early in a season but we’re scoring for fun. I think Qarabag will sit in and make things difficult but Celtic to prevail and win 2-0. Anytime scorecast GMS & Celtic 2-0 13/1 w/ bet365

  11. Alves 9 years ago

    Celtic are 3/1 tae score 3+ @Betfair, also Celtic RB Salzburg and Basle 9/2. Decisions Decisions :)

  12. Callum g 9 years ago

    Pedrojord u seen the teams Celtic have played. This qarabag side have a wee drop quality so can’t see Celtic getting a win. Gonna do plus two to be safe though

  13. PedroJord 9 years ago

    Yep we’ve beaten Rennes, Real Sociedad, Stjarnan twice, Den Bosch and Eibar.

    Qarabag lost to steau Bucharest, drawn with Lokomotiv Moscow and Rudar and beat Rudar 1-0.

    Hard game but Celtic are a team full of internationals and have quality all over the park and are scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, Qarabag rely too much on Reynaldo and haven’t had a great pre season. I’d take a lot of quality over a drop of quality. Celtic win for me but best of luck with your bets

  14. Sean567 9 years ago

    Aye Callum coz Sociedad Rennes et al are all mugs eh. I agree with u that qarabag +2 on the ah shouldn’t be a loser but gies piece with your logic

  15. Long Live The King 9 years ago

    Really fancy the carrier bags tonight. Celik are ordinary at best as there downsizing continues. 2-1 the carriers

  16. Recoba 9 years ago

    All good Jimmmybee but Celtic are a lot better than last season and definitely better prepared…so I hope your wrong too as i think there results of last season like ours really don’t count for much especially at this stage of champions league qualifiers.

    Izaguirre first goal must be worth a £ :P
    I’ll also be on 4-1 again after getting it with CFC v Eibar and Stjarnan ;)

  17. magictips 9 years ago

    Hi lads,

    is the Celtic match being shown anywhere on tv?

  18. Recoba 9 years ago

    PedroJord you’ve hit the hammer on the head with the nail there mate ;)

    Celtic want to give it up not beating Qarabaq tonight!
    At Parkhead they should do it comfortably too or Ronny D and the players have a lot to answer… were well up and running now.

  19. Willie McGuire 9 years ago

    Nice 12/1 winner Paul!! Top tipping. Boyata-kasha :o)

  20. Clarkez 9 years ago

    Well done!

  21. Duncan Poundcake 9 years ago

    Well Done Mr F ,I also took Boyata to score and Hoops win @ 10/1
    Thank You GL.

  22. Ed 9 years ago

    Good call Mr F. Took Boyata at 29-1 as first goal scorer and 12-1 as scorer. And, 56-1 in game.
    Thank you..you just won me 600.

  23. Desy 9 years ago

    Well that worked out well.
    Spent about an hour trying to pick out a bet with a bit of value and being a celtic man I was struggling as I know how hot and cold we can be in these qualifying rounds, so went with your AT bet and done him FG as well.
    Fiver on each at 11/1 and 28/1 so I’m quite happy I won a few quid but quite sad that we will be embarrassed again in Europe.

  24. Donny 9 years ago

    Great work Mr F. You deserve a full house for putting up with some of the moaners on here. Think they’ll be quiet tonight!

    • Mr Fixit 9 years ago

      Donny, what moaners?

  25. Greg Browning 9 years ago

    Hats off Mr F :)

  26. Stubhoy 9 years ago

    As we agreed Mr F. Unders (landed) @ 8/11 and also my Celtic by 1 goal margin @ 9/4.. Not finished yet mate. Had Qarabag +2 @ 4/7 and cheeky wee £5 on Boyata at 40/1.

    Very profitable evening. Roll on the 2nd leg.

    • Mr Fixit 9 years ago

      Stubhoy, definitely not finished but you have to fancy Celtic to score in Baku. Qarabag defended well and knocked it about nicely but posed little goal threat.

  27. Stubhoy 9 years ago

    They know who they are Donny although i wouldnt call them moaners pal More like DOUBTERS lol
    Well done Mr F Good night all round

  28. Heisenberg 9 years ago

    Well done Paul I had Bhoyata 2:0 @ 75/1 almost landed

  29. Kev 9 years ago

    Watched the game in jack dempseys bar in NYC with the new mrs kev! She really is something else. Return leg in Florida next week. Keep up the top tipping sir!

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