Elfsborg – Celtic

Elfsborg - Celtic betting previewFirst leg enged with a 1-0 victory for Celtic after Elfsborg produced a very cautious, rough and defensive display. The Hoops are now big favorites to go through but they should expect another motivated Elfsborg performance, with tight defense and dangerous tackles.

This is the match of the season for the swedish champions, the Allsvenskan is pretty much gone for them and as long as they still have an honest chance to progress against Celtic, they will give it their all. Elfsborg had no shots on target in the first leg, but showed they can contain Celtic and could have escaped with a 0-0 draw if it weren`t for Kris Commons` strike 15 minutes from time. Today, it is for sure that the hosts will approach the game in a somewhat similar manner. Sure, they will be a little bit more aggresive and offensive minded, but they will not risk anything, since a conceded goal would mean the end for them.

Celtic also lacked ideas in attack last week, but won deservingly thanks to their possession and domination. They don`t seem at their best yet, they just started the league this weekend and need some more time to obtain some cohesion. Of course the visitors are the better team here, but Elfsborg could compensate the class deficit with their artificial turf and packed stadium, especially since Celtic is not a good away team in Europe.

Celtic will miss new-boy Derk Boerrigter, brought from Ajax in the summer, maybe the best attacking weapon they have along with Samaras, who is also doubtful (should play though). Elfsborg could also miss its best offensive player, with Bangoura (on loan from Celtic) being highly doubtful.

A very cautious, tactical, rough and fragmented game is expected today, with Elfsborg trying to defend well and wait for a chance to score and Celtic looking to protect that 1-0 advantage from the first leg. The hosts already suggested they will not back away from hard tackles, and Celtic`s Brown said “bring it on”, so a fluent, fast-paced game is not really on the cards. Taking into account that both teams will have important missings in attack, and that they seem so suffer in offense at the moment (as we saw in the first leg), an Under seems the most logical option here. An early goal from Celtic could hurt this bet, but I think the Hoops have the ability to stand back and protect that hypothetical advantage rather then entering a dangerous goal-fest with Elfsborg.

The first game couldn`t have finished with more than 2 goals in 100 years the way it was played, and I don`t see any reasons for the second leg to be any different since Elfsborg, I repeat, will not go all-out-attack to erase the deficit.

Pick: under 2,5
Odds: 1.86 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.88
Event date: 7 August

About Rostick

Born in '88. Running betting tips websites since 2007. Launched Betdistrict in 2013. Worked as a bookie for a year to spy on the other side. Rugby Union and NBA expert. Editor info & statistics.

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