CELTIC will be eying a third straight win on Thursday night when they face FK Jablonec in the second-leg of their Europa League third-qualifying round tie.
Ange Postecoglou's Parkhead tenure had got off to a rocky start but the new Bhoys boss got his reign up and running with a 4-2 first leg win in the Czech Republic last Thursday evening.
Postecoglou's new-look side followed up on that success by brilliantly dismantling newly-promoted Dundee 6-0 at Celtic Park on Sunday, on an afternoon where my recommended Bet Builder banked.
That triumph could spark lift-off for the Hoops under their new manager and they will be keen to finish the job when Jablonec come calling.
Jablonec's preparations for this return leg were far from ideal, after conceding an agonising late equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Bohemians 1905 on Sunday.
That means Petr Rada's posse have failed to win in each of their last three matches across all competitions and they can expect little respite at a fervent Celtic Park on Thursday night.
Outright Betting
Celtic are heavily fancied to make it three wins on the spin, with a Hoops triumph trading at a lowly 4/11 with Bet 365.
FK Jablonec are big underdogs at 13/2 with BetVictor while the draw is also deemed unlikely at 4/1 with the same firm.
Betting Angles
Celtic look too skinny to side with at the above-mentioned price but backing the hosts to overcome a -1.5 start on the asian handicap looks like a nice way in at 11/10 with Bet 365.
Here we would require Celtic to win the game by at least a two goal winning-margin, a handicap that Postecoglou's side have overcome in each of their last two matches.
The confidence surging through the Celtic players was there for all to see in Sunday's demolition of Dundeee and this fixture represents a terrific opportunity for Postecoglou and Co to continue their upward progression.
Out-of-sorts Jablonec, on the other hand, arrive in Glasgow winless in three matches and occupying seventh-place in the Czech First League.
What's more, the Czech guests have shipped nine goals across their last three matches and that does not bode well ahead of a bout with a Celtic team starting to find their stride.
With all that in mind, coupled with a full capacity Parkhead crowd now being permitted, I'll happily back the fast-improving Hoops to overcome a -1.5 start on the asian handicap here.
I'll also dip into the anytime goalscorer market and take the 10/11 on offer with PaddyPower for Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi to get on the scoresheet.
After notching in last week's first leg, the Japanese forward further endeared himself to the Celtic support with a stunning hat-trick last time out, and Furuhashi looks nicely priced to continue his hot streak in front of goal on Thursday night.
This UEFA Europa League match between Celtic and FK Jablonec will be played on Aug 12, 2021 and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Celtic vs FK Jablonec prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
