Champions League Preview and Odds - Celtic vs Barcelona

Published on: 23/11/2016

Champions League Preview and Odds - Celtic vs Barcelona

November 23, 2016 19:45pm - Celtic Park

Referee: D. Orsato

Champions League - Group Stage

Celtic will be hoping that home advantage can help them to pull off a shock result when they face Barcelona at Celtic Park in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Scottish Premier League leaders need a win to keep their European qualification hopes alive

Celtic may be bottom of Group C but they still have a mathematical chance of finishing second or third if they win both of their remaining fixtures.

Brendan Rodgers` men were hammered 7-0 when the teams met at the Camp Nou back in September. However, a closer contest can be expected this time round as they look to maintain their strong home form.

The Hoops have won nine, drawn one and lost one at Celtic Park in all competitions this term, with their only defeat coming against Borussia Monchengladbach in this tournament. Back in September, they held Pep Guardiola`s Manchester City to a 3-3 draw and will be looking for a similar performance on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, Barcelona arrive in Scotland on the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Malaga in La Liga. Their last Champions League match saw them fall 3-1 away to Manchester City, a result which left them just two points clear of their rivals at the top of Group C.

Luis Enrique`s men have won just four of their last nine away games in this competition but they do have a decent record against Celtic having won seven of their last eight meetings.

Team news

The home side will be without Kieran Tierney, while Leigh Griffiths remains a doubt.

Meanwhile, the visitors will have to make do without Jérémy Mathieu, Samuel Umtiti and Andres Iniesta.

Recent form (All competitions)

Celtic: WWDWW

Barcelona: DWLWW

Betting odds and tips

This will be Barcelona`s second visit to Celtic Park since the memorable 2-1 defeat back in 2012. On their last visit back in 2013, they edged to 1-0 win after their hosts had been reduced to 10 men following the dismissal of Scott Brown.

Celtic have yet to record a win in this year`s competition and that is unlikely to change on Wednesday. However, Barcelona were not convincing on their last two visits and the draw looks like a decent price at 5/1.

You can back the Draw at a best price of 5/1 with Bet365

By Neil Morris

Published on: 23/11/2016

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (23/11/2016 10:45:21) but are subject to change.