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Barcelona will try to get over some mixed performances lately and book the first place in group H of the Champions League. A draw would be enough for the catalans, but it`s hard to see them playing for a stalemate against one of the worst away teams in the history of the competition. Celtic is already out of the qualification race, being 4 points behind the third place in the standings.
Barcelona faced some tough criticism lately after consecutive losses against Ajax and Bilbao. However, I found the criticism rather funny, as this is a team that lost two games the whole season! Clearly Barcelona does not have the same possession game under Gerardo Martino, but the team is as strong as ever, topping the La Liga standings with a statline of 13-1-1 and dominating the Champions League group without really forcing things too much.
Celtic is going through some good times, with Rangers relegated they are simply having fun in the Scottish league and they are able to compete at some point even in the Champions League. This year though Celtic has been rather poor in the top european competition, losing 4 out of their last 5 games, scoring just twice (both goals at home against Ajax) and conceding 8 goals. The scottish side won the last 2 games with a combined difference of 12-0, but the level in Scotland is really poor, and just two weeks ago they were demolished 3-0 at home by a struggling Milan. Celtic is traditionally one of the worst road sides in the Champions League, gaining a single point in 20 consecutive away matches until defeating Spartak Moscow last year with a late goal. They have been again disappointing on the road this season, losing both games without scoring.
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Team news & lineups
Barca will play with the best team here, as they obviously have everything to fight for. Messi is still out and he will be joined in the stands by Valdes, Fabregas, Cuenca, Alba, Affelay, and Dani Alves. Celtic will have to do without Mouyokolo, Matthews and Izzaguire.
Barcelona: Pinto – Montoya, Pique, Mascherano, Adriano – Busquets, Xavi, Iniesta – Pedro, Neymar, Sanchez
Celtic: Forster – Izaguirre, Mulgrew, Lustig, Ambrose – Brown, Ledley, Commons, Pukki – Stokes, Samaras
Barcelona by 2 goals (asian handicap) looks to be a solid bet for this one. The team lacking motivation here is Celtic, though for sure the visitors will fight their hearts out for pride. The point is Barca needs a result and obviously they will not play for the draw, but go for the win. Playing at home should make all the difference in the world against a team like Celtic and, with the 1st place in mind but also a lot of desire to respond to undeserving criticism, I can see the catalans getting a big win. Barca won 9 of 10 home games this season in all competitions, the only hiccup being a draw with Atletico in the Supercup, which brought the trophy. In their Champions League home games, the catalans won 4-0 against Ajax and 3-1 against Milan.
Barcelona does have a couple of key absences but they have enough depth to field a top-class first eleven and only Messi looks to be a real blow. Celtic also has a top class goalkeeper and realistically I can see Forster saving 1 or 2 sure-made goals, but taking everything into account I will bet on the hosts with -2 asian handicap, and my tip would be Barcelona – Celtic 3-0.
UPDATE: Ladbrokes posted odds 1.85 just 30 minutes after my post, so I`ll recomend that instead of Sbobet`s 1.77.
Pick: FC Barcelona (-2 Asian Handicap)
Odds: 1.85 @ Ladbrokes
Stake: 7
Possible profit: 5.95
Event date: 11 December
Editor Facts
- Rostick has 2 tips on games involving Barcelona this season: 1 won, 1 void.
