FINDING value last week when Celtic visited Belfast was tough – and it's the same tonight.
I fancied Brendan Rodgers's side to win by three but they fell a goal short.
The Scots romped into a 2-0 lead but that's how it stayed thanks to a combo of poor finishing and great goalkeeping by Roy Carroll.
It's finished as a contest – Linfield are 55-1 to triumph on the night with McBookie and Ladbrokes – and again the question is how many Celtic will win by.
Bookies have set the handicap mark at -3 and I expect the Parkhead side to make it this time in front of their own fans who will demand nothing but a 100 per cent in what should be a white-hot atmosphere.
Celtic are 21-20 with Betway to win by four or more and 11-5 at Ladbrokes to cover the -4 handicap.
Two bets that did come in last week were Scott Sinclair to score and Celtic to win to nil. This time all you can have is 1-2 (William Hill) and 1-2 (Paddy Power).
Sinclair is 31-10 with McBookie to score first while Moussa Dembele is 13-5. Leigh Griffiths started instead of the Frenchman at Windsor Park but could miss out and UEFA are investigating whether he sparked crowd trouble after tying a Celtic scarf to the goalpost on the final whistle.
There is no love lost between the sets of supporters and bookings could be a play with Celtic having five booked in the first leg. Buy bookings if you can find a price.
Recommended Bets
Celtic -3
Celtic -4
Sinclair to score first
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Paul
Booking before 29th minute is 10/11 with PaddyPower
Or what about the following
Time of First Linfield booking
0-15 mins @ 13/2
16-30 mins @ 3/1
My thinking was to back both.
Certainly should be a booking before 29th minute and I’ll be looking at card prices in the morning.
Both Linfield bets could come up but some refs are reluctant to show and early one.
Saying that though he could book someone as a warning to others. I’ve also noticed the ref has given out 9 red cards in his career, all to the away team.
Paul I made a mistake. Those prices aren’t for time of First Linfield booking it’s just for a booking between those minutes therefore both bets could pay out if lucky enough.
Long time reader first time poster. No great value in this match so I’m going with over 5 first half corners at 11/10. I expect Celtic to put on a show in front of their own fans which will mean a lot of last ditch defending for linfield.
Celtic vs Linfield BTTS@3.50
Celtic done me in the first fixture goals market Mr f but this one iv been waiting on celtic could cover the handicap -3 In first half there fans will certainly be demanding goals with no let up and there will b no love lost either
So it’s -4 and -5 for me tonight the difference in class is vast.
TIPS FOR TONIGHT
Celtic vs Linfield
LINFIELD TO BE SHOWN A CARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 15TH MINUTE @ 13/2 (William Hill)
LINFIELD TO BE SHOWN A CARD BETWEEN 16TH AND 30TH MINUTE @ 3/1 (William Hill)
CELTIC 5-0 @ 10/1 (Winner)
CELTIC 6-0 @ 16/1 (Winner)
Good luck everyone