There are many dreams for every footballer. One of them is probably not a few, once in the Celtic Park run up. Best international, under floodlight. The legendary atmosphere of the Scottish fans, the “You’ll never walk alone” before the kick-off – these are experiences that you will never forget. For some Valencia CF players, this dream comes true on Thursday. The bats from the port city have been awarded the Scottish series champion in the second round of the Europa League. As nice as the mood and atmosphere on the island are, it will be so hard for the visiting team to fight against the crowd. The playful advantage, which the Spaniards undoubtedly have, is suddenly no longer so crucial, because the hosts throw themselves with man and mouse in every duel and fight by their fans for every inch of lawn fight. As a neutral spectator, such a game is a real treat and certainly one of the highlights in the second round of the
Europa League. Examining the encounter for good bets brings with it great challenges.
Europa League Celtic Glasgow vs Valencia
A first look at the pairing Celtic Glasgow vs. Valencia on the odds reveals that the Spaniards are in the favorites role despite the home advantage of Celtic. However, the slightly increasing odds on the away team’s side are a sign that Glasgow is currently in good shape, which impressively underscores the numbers. The duel for the troupe from the Spanish port city certainly will not be a self-runner, although between Celtic Glasgow and Valencia a tip on a progress of the bats is very likely already. The first leg will be kicked off at 21:00 on late Thursday night. Referee of the match is Ovidiu Alin Hategan from Romania.
Celtic Glasgow – Statistics & Current Form
It was a curious situation in the sixth round of the group stage in the Europa League between Celtic and FC Salzburg. The hosts were short of time with 0: 2 in the back and yet celebrated the fans with standing ovations their team. The reason was the result of parallel play in Leipzig. The Bundesliga club from Saxony played a lead there against Rosenborg Trondheim in the closing stages and retired from the 1-1 draw. The Scots benefited and were allowed to enjoy the leap into the knockout stage thanks to the Norwegian’s help and despite the 2-1 defeat by Salzburg. This success did not change the fact that coach Brendan Rogers had to ponder over the game against the Austrians for a long time. It became clear over the course of the 90 minutes that his team is more or less without chance against a strong international team. The 2-1 win over Leipzig, which was very happy overall, probably deceives a bit about this fact. The league games in Scotland can not be taken as a benchmark – too weak is the competition. Although everyone is aware of this fact at the capital club, their own performance has been overestimated. Before the first leg on Thursday against Valencia a similar phenomenon can be seen. The results of the hosts actually have an extremely strong effect. 3: 0, 4: 0, 3: 0, 2: 0, 2: 0, 2: 0, 5: 0 – that’s a whole seven wins without conceding in a row.
A look back at the last real duel with Glasgow Rangers, the great city rival who has long since made the championship fight in Scotland exciting again, reveals that Celtic just has not gotten much stronger. In the 315th Old Firm the Green-Whites were deservedly 0: 1. Against Valencia is to be feared that the hosts are again confronted with the fact that while the potential is clearly enough to dominate national competition, but internationally the class is simply inadequate. Brendan Rogers will of course send his best team to the pitch and possibly speculate that his team will make an early opening goal. Then the euphoria in the stadium would continue to rise and the guests might be nervous. With continuous playing time, it is otherwise to be expected that the Spaniards will get the game control piece by piece. The home fans’ biggest hopes rest on the shoulders of attacker Scott Sinclair. The 29-year-old is in great shape and has scored ten times in the last nine games. His strike partner James Forrest is also back in time for the crash against Valencia. The offensive trio is completed by the young Oliver Burke, who has won in the last few weeks a place in the starting eleven. In contrast to the group stage, the goal will not be Oldie Craig Gordon but Scott Bain, who now has the status of No. 1 in Celtic. Other changes in the starting eleven are not expected, as still some actors injured in the squad or are struck and the staff is either way very thin.
Expected lineup of Celtic Glasgow:
Bain – Hayes, Ajer, Boyata, Toljan – Brown, McGregor, Sinclair, Christie, Forrest – Burke
Last matches of Celtic Glasgow:
- 10.02.2019 – Celtic vs Glasgow. FC St. Johnstone 5: 0 (FA Cup)
- 06.02.2019 – Celtic vs Glasgow. Hibernian FC 2: 0 (Premiership)
- 03.02.2019 – FC St. Johnstone vs. Celtic Glasgow 0: 2 (Premiership)
- 30.01.2019 – Celtic vs Glasgow. FC St. Johnstone 2: 0 (Premiership)
- 26.01.2019 – Celtic vs Glasgow. Hamilton Academical 3: 0 (Premiership)
Valencia – Statistics & Current Form
The shape of the Valencia CF may be underestimated a little and is better than it looks at first glance. Three draws in a row are not exactly spectacular. However, on the one hand, two threes against Villarreal and Getafe were previously celebrated, on the other hand, the draws must also be considered more closely. The first draw was at Camp Nou at league leaders FC Barcelona and it felt like a win (despite a 2-0 lead). The next point division was the home strong team Betis Sevilla. There, the bats were 0: 2 in arrears and proved morality. Joker Kevin Gameiro scored in stoppage time the deserved 2: 2 for the guests. Last but not least is the 0-0 in the European pursuit duel at the weekend against Real Sociedad. In this game, the team of coach Marcelino Garcia delivered a good performance. Despite optical superiority, more shots on the goal and the better chances it was enough “only” to the point profit.
This does not change the fact that between Celtic Glasgow and Valencia the odds for a tip on the away win are too high. The guests are as mentioned by the bookmakers and the general public a little underestimated and unlike the Scots, the troupe from the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula has significantly more individual quality. But the attack series with the French Gameiro, with youngster Santi Mina and the form-strong Rodrigo is a fire hazard. The latter scored five goals in the last seven games and received a break from the coach on the final day. He came in the final phase as a wild card into the game and will therefore be fit on Thursday. Away Valencia will hardly act with three attackers, which is why Mina or Gameiro would have to give way for him. Coach Marcelino Garcia has a free choice in the remainder of the lineup. Defender Gabriel Paulista is still questionable after a training injury. Apart from that, only the youngster Javier Jimenez is missing, who is still without an action minute in the current season and thus plays no role in the planning anyway.
Expected formation of Valencia:
Neto – Gaya, Roncaglia, Garay, Piccini – Soler, Parejo, Kondogbia, Cheryshev – Mina, Rodrigo
Last matches of Valencia:
- 10.02.2019 – Valencia vs. Real Sociedad 0: 0 (La Liga)
- 07.02.2019 – Betis Sevilla vs. Valencia 2: 2 (Copa del Rey)
- 02.02.2019 – FC Barcelona vs. Valencia 2: 2 (La Liga)
- 29.01.2019 – Valencia vs. Getafe 3: 1 (Copa del Rey)
- 26.01.2019 – Valencia vs. Villarreal 3: 0 (La Liga)
Celtic Glasgow vs Valencia Direct Comparison & Statistics Highlights
Europa League – Round of 32 – Celtic Glasgow. vs Valencia. This constellation was in fact already – in 2001. The only difference at that time was that the first leg was played in Spain and the hosts prevailed 1-0. Celtic made up for that back home and an extra time had to make the decision. There then had the Champions League finalist from the preseason (Valencia) the better end for themselves and moved into the second round. Will it be so exciting again?
Celtic Glasgow vs Valencia Football Betting Tips
Just the fact that before the game Celtic Glasgow vs. Valencia odds for a tip on the guests are lower than on the part of the home team, shows that the results from the recent past, especially on the part of the Scots, are negligible. As a much more important clue serve the two games in the group stage at home against the Bulls from Salzburg and Leipzig. 2: 1 against Leipzig and 1: 2 against Salzburg were the results. But much more decisive was the gameplay. The team of Brendan Rogers had despite the home advantage and the loud attachment in the back each great problems to oppose the strong-playing teams something. The success against Leipzig was very happy and the defeat against the Bulls from Austria could have been higher.
Key Facts – Celtic Glasgow vs Valencia tips
Celtic “acts” like an insurmountable home night
Valencia is in good shape in 2019
Against high-scoring opponents, the Scots will also reach their limits with their fans behind them
It remains to be recognized that Celtic are short of strong quality teams and Valencia is such a strong team. Of course, the journey to the north of the British Isles will not be self-perpetuating for the South Spaniards, but if they reflect on their strengths, they will return home with a good result. An away win has a probability of occurrence close to 50%, which is why the recent increased odds on the part of the guests include value. Between Celtic Glasgow and Valencia, the prediction can be made that a tip on the favorites is the right choice – for us one of the best bets on Thursday in the Europa League.
Prediction Today: 2
Odds: 2.25
