Written By: Mark Walker, , Match Preview

CELTIC have the rare instance of a European night to relax in what is a real dead rubber game in the Europa League.

Ange Postecoglou's side have really shot themselves in the foot in the Group Stages, having tossed away numerous winning positions, which has seen them eliminated from this competition.

However, they are guaranteed third spot which gives them a parachute entry to the Europa Conference League which may yet be a fun experience.

Betis also have zero to play for apart from the financial incentive you get from UEFA for winning games, which second place in the group behind Bayer Leverkusen sealed.

Team sheets are bound to be all-important here, especially with Celtic about to embark on a mammoth Festive period crammed full of fixtures. They have six games in 17 days after this before the Old Firm game on January 2 and welcome in-form Motherwell on Sunday.

And Betis face Celtic in between playing and impressively beating Barcelona and high-flying Real Sociedad, so it's hard to see Manuel Pellegrini taking his big guns to Glasgow.

How the bookies view it

Betis' weekend win at Barcelona appears to have prompted the firms to make the Spaniard's clear favourites having originally gone with both being around the same price. BetVictor's 11/8 is the best price for Betis, but Celtic are 19/10 with bet365. The draw is 28/11 with SBK.

Recent head to heads

Betis beat Celtic 4-3 in Seville back in September, but this was a game that Celtic well and truly blew having been 2-0 up. Highlights of the clubs' only clash can be seen below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BeFpUk47h4

Players to watch

Ange Postecoglou might try out some of his fringe players with a bulging injury list and that busy Festive schedule. Forgotten man Albian Ajeti has lost his place and could be heading for the exit door soon, but he may well get the nod here as Celtic look to protect their big-hitters. The former West Ham Swiss striker is 39/19 with SBK.

Juanmi was the hero for Betis in the Nou Camp and is on 11 goals in 17 this season. If he plays, he's 5/2 with Paddy Power to net.

Anything else catch the eye?

Betis have won five in a row in all competitions now and conceded just once, while Celtic are in fine form too. But the key is the teamsheets and who has taken it seriously.

With the pressure off and even accounting for Betis' fine recent defensive record, this could be as entertaining as the reverse fixture in Spain,

Take a chance on over 3.5 goals with Unibet at 8/5.

Celtic are the corners kings as everyone on this site knows and they still racked up 12 corners on their own against Dundee United on Sunday and that was without Jota.

There could be some value here on the corners match bets and Celtic should be backed to win the most at 5/6 on the match bet.

This match between Celtic and Real Betis will be played on Dec 9, 2021 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Celtic vs Real Betis prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.

Betting Tips and Predicitions
Celtic to win most corners
5/6
Bet365
Over 3.5 goals
8/5
UniBet

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