Celtic’s Champions League record has been the butt of jokes in recent years but the Hoops have the chance to print their name into the record books tonight against Slovan Bratislava…
Brendan Rodgers’ side go into the new-look campaign as strong favourites to beat the Slovakian champions – which would see them win an opening group stage fixture for their first time.
Celtic’s biggest Champions League win is 3-0
And some bookies also fancy the Hoops to record their biggest-ever victory in the competition proper, which currently stands at 3-0 – a margin of victory they have managed twice.
That was the scoreline when they saw off Benfica at home in 2006 and Anderlecht away in 2017.
Bookies price Slovan Bratislava at 9/1 to win
Experts at Sportscasting.com/uk say bookmakers are offering attractive odds of 9/2 for Celtic to record a record-breaking win by four goals or more. And the Hoops are 1/3 to win – and get off to a victorious start in the group stages for the first time.
While they are offering 9/1 on Slovan Bratislava silencing the Celtic support by pulling off a surprise win.
Slovan currently sit top of the Fortuna Liga table this season although they were humbled 5-0 at home to last term’s runners-up Zilina before the September international break. This is the first time they have qualified for the Champions League at the 12th time of asking.
Slovan Bratislava beat Danish Champions Midtjylland in the Play-offs
Vladimir Weiss Snr’s side emerged from four ties, beating the Danish Champions Midtjylland in the play-off.
Weiss was also in charge of Artmedia Bratislava when they knocked Celtic out in the qualifying rounds in 2005.
The chap from Sportscasting had this to say about tonight’s eagerly awaited Champions League match at Paradise: “Celtic are flying high domestically so far this season and haven’t even conceded a league goal in five games, but this match tonight will offer a clue as to just how good they are at the moment.
A Champions League match under the lights
“It’s a Champions League match under the lights, and we know from past experience what an intimidating place it can be for European visitors. Even the biggest teams in the continent have struggled in the past.
“With Celtic Park rocking and an early goal, who knows what might happen?
“They are playing with loads of confidence, and with the new additions settling in nicely, you really have to fancy Celtic to give the Slovakian champions a tough night.”
COYBIG!
