CELTIC and Rangers both suffered heavy defeats on Matchday One of the Champions League and will be looking for a reaction when they return to Europe’s top table tonight.
While the Hoops were beaten 3-0 at home to Real Madrid, they took plaudits for their first-half performance after going toe-to-toe with the Euro champions.
But it was a different story for Gers as they turned in a dreadful display against Ajax, lacking heart and belief in 4-0 Amsterdam defeat.
- Preview: Rangers vs Napoli Betting Tips
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men now face a Napoli side who claimed a stunning 4-1 victory over Liverpool in their Group A opener.
McBookie make the Italians 4/5 favourites with Rangers as big as 31/10 but the partisan Ibrox crowd could act as a leveller.
Van Bronckhorst will demand a fast start from his side so I like the evens on offer at Bet365 for Gers to win the first corner.
James Sands continues to look a bit of a weak link in the Ibrox defence and is a good candidate for a card at 5/2 with Unibet.
Celtic take on Shakhtar Donetsk but the game is being held in Poland due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- Preview: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Celtic
Shakhtar began with a shock 4-1 win at Leipzig so that suggests tonight’s game will be a thriller as the Hoops will attack as usual.
BTTS is just 4/7 at McBookie while over 2.5 goals isn’t much better at 7/10 so I’m going for over 1.5 first-half goals, which pays 8/5.
Shakhtar’s Mykhaylo Mudryk, who has been linked with Everton and Arsenal, is 6/5 at Unibet just to have a shot on target and that looks great value.
Champions League Tips
- Super singles: Rangers to win first corner (Evs, Bet365). Mudryk shot on target (6/5, Unibet).
- McBookie bet builder: Combining BTTS with over 1.5 first-half goals in Poland pays 218/100.
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
Wow, that went well