SCOTTISH football has taken such a tumble Celtic are underdogs for tonight's trip to Kazakhstan.
That's good news for Hoops fans if they fancy their team to turn over Astana. Celtic are a best 12-5 with bet365 and and the draw is 2-1 at McBookie and Ladbrokes.
Astana lost three of 14 Champions League games last season and were unbeaten at home with draws against Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Galatasaray failing in the group stages.
By contrast they never won away so if Celtic can avoid defeat or even lose 1-0 or 2-1 they'll feel confident of finishing the job next week. And the Hoops are still favourites to qualify at 8-15 with Ladbrokes while Astana are 2-1 at Skybet.
Last time they visited Kazakhstan it was a 2-0 defeat for Celtic against Shakhter Karagandy in Astana but they overturned that result with a 3-0 home triumph.
Brendan Rodgers will be desperate to avoid another 2-0 shocker but after losing 1-0 at Lincoln Red Imps in the last round it's difficult to predict what we'll get from his men.
And of course he has a defensive crisis with five centre-halves out – Erik Sviatchenko, Jozo Simunovic, Dedryck Boyata, Kristoffer Ajer and new boy Kolo Toure.
That means a likely start for Efe Ambrose whose mistake led to Red Imps' goal. With Ambrose in I'd consider Astana to score 2+ at 19-10 with boylesports.
All the money's been on Astana who are now a best 8-5 at William Hill and draw no bet they are 4-5 with MarathonBet. In searing heat I can see them winning by one.
Rodgers isn't likely to go gung ho but he'll know the value of an away goal and without so many stoppers attack may be the best form of defensive. Both to score has a chance at 6-5 with Stan James.
Bets to Consider
Astana
Astana to score 2+
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.
Can see Astana going off around evens the way things are going
Thought Sviatchenko was left out Saturday so he would definitely be fit for tonight? Disaster if hes our,Lustig surely play at CB but if Ambrose is his partner I fear the worst. ?
Recoba, Sviatchenko hasn’t travelled and is definitely out. It will be Ambrose with Lustig unless Rodgers goes with young O’Connell.