REAL MADRID will be hoping to secure top spot in Champions League Group F when they welcome Celtic to the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday evening.
Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded side are already through to the next round of the competition but they have yet to be confirmed as group winners following last week's 3-2 loss at RB Leipzig.
As such, the holders still have the added incentive of finishing top of the section to increase their chances securing a more favourable last 16 draw.
Closer to home, Real Madrid dropped points for only the second time in La Liga this season on Saturday, as they stumbled to a 1-1 draw against Girona.
As for Celtic, despite some encouraging performances upon their return to the Champions League this season, they will not play in European football beyond the World Cup break following last week's 1-1 draw at home to Shakhtar Donetsk.
In their last outing, Ange Postecoglou's put in a professional performance to win 3-0 at Livingston on Sunday, on an afternoon where my Tony Macaroni tip landed.
Outright Betting
Real Madrid, who have triumphed in seven of their last eight Champions League home matches, are short-priced 2/9 favourites with Bet 365.
Celtic are without a win in their last nine Champions League group games and the bookmakers' fully expect that trend to continue here, with the Bhoys big underdogs at 14/1 (SBK) while the draw is an unfancied 6/1 (UniBet).
Betting Angles
While Real Madrid are worthy favourites here, they are unlikely to have things all their own way against Ange Postecoglou's attack-minded outfit so I'll back both teams to score at 10/11 (UniBet).
Carlo Ancelotti's hosts have found clean sheets hard to come by this season, having posted just two shutouts in 12 La Liga outings to date.
What's more, Real Madrid's rearguard was breached in both of their Group F fixtures with Shakhtar Donetsk before leaking three strikes in Leipzig last midweek.
Given that Celtic's attacking intensity is their best form of defence, it's unlikely that Bhoys boss Postecoglou will sacrifice his principles, even in the illustrious surroundings of the Santiago Bernabéu.
That being said, Celtic’s inability to keep the back door shut on the European stage is well-documented, with the Scottish champions securing just one clean sheet across their last 14 continental clashes, which doesn't bode well ahead of a trip to the reigning kings of Europe.
With all this in mind, coupled with the fact that both teams have scored in six of the pair's combined 10 Group F fixtures, backing each to oblige on Wednesday evening looks worthy of interest at 10/11 (UniBet) in game with little jeopardy.
After netting his ninth goal of the season on Saturday, I'll also have a small play on Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior to grab a goal here at 23/20 (UniBet).
The brilliant Brazilian is Real Madrid's top scorer this term and having already hit the back of the net against the Hoops on Matchday One, he looks nicely priced to repeat the trick when the pair reconvene this midweek.
This UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Celtic will be played on Nov 2, 2022 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Real Madrid vs Celtic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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