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Interesting clash in the UEFA Champions League playoff round, with Celtic Glasgow taking on Malmo FF in what seems to be a very tight and balanced affair.
Celtic obviously isn`t the same team as in the past, but they still have some quality and this season they are looking better than in the previous one. The Bhoys played well in friendlies and are yet to lose a game this season, despite playing 9 total official matches. On the other hand, Malmo will be the strongest opponent so far. In Champions League, Celtic got past Stjarnan 6-1 aggregate and got past Qarabag 1-0 aggregate, in a tie played very cautiously and defensive by both sides.
Malmo suffered a very strange season so far. The team started off very poorly and continued in the same manner for months in Sweden, despite owning by far the best roster in the country. However, they somehow managed to shock Salzburg for the second year in a row, winning 3-0 at home after a 0-2 defeat in Austria. That second leg win seems to have really motivated Malmo and the Swedish Champions went on to win the next two matches, including against the very strong Goteborg. Malmo is entering this clash on the back of 3 consecutive, solid wins and will have confidence that they finally regained their best form.
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Team news & lineups:
Celtic will likely miss new signing Scott Alan and Mulgrew is slightly doubtful, while Malmo will be without captain Rosenberg and Kofi Adu.
Celtic: Gordon – Mulgrew, Boyata, Van Dijk, Izaguirre – Bitton, Brown – Mackay-Steven, Johansen, Griffiths – Ciftci
Malmo: Wiland – Tinnerholm, Arnason, Bengtsson, Yotun – Rodic, Lewicki, Carvalho, Berget – Djurdic, Mehmeti
Celtic manager Rory Deila hinted that his side will approach the game in a similar manner to the Qarabag tie and indeed that it what`s expected of Celtic. Both teams can play good defensive football and knowing how strong and rock solid at the back Malmo can be at home, Celtic will surely do everything to keep a clean sheet today.
It should be a close one and surely Celtic’s aim will be to stay safe at the back. Malmo will obviously hope to find that crucial away goal, but they aren`t usually very dangerous on the road in Europe and if Celtic puts on a performance like in the last tie, they should get that desired clean sheet. At the other goal, Celtic won`t find it easy to break down an in-form, solid Malmo side. Considering all these facts and the huge stakes in play, goals should be hard to find here. I`m looking at the under over market and my tip will be under 2,5 goals to be scored – the odds at Ladbrokes are brilliant for this bet, way over the average, which is about 1.80. Prediction: Celtic Glasgow – Malmo FF 1-0.
Pick: under 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.95 @ Ladbrokes
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.60
Event date: 19 August
