Celtic v Juventus prediction

Match	Date	Selection	Bet	Odds	Bet now
Celtic v Juventus prediction Champions League Uefa, International	12/02/2013 20:45	full time result	Celtic	4.75	Bet at Betsson
Betting prediction was written by Ronny

Finally the Champions League is back. Celtic v Juventus looks to be a cracker. Celtic impressed everyone in the group stages. The Scottish power house even managed to get a 2-1 win at home against the mighty Barcelona. Juventus on the other hand is enjoying their return back to the finest stage European football can offer. The Italians progressed from a tough group with Shakhtar and Chelsea. The scene is set, and this is a setting Juventus knows very well.

In many ways it is a clash between culture and continent. It's the raw and energetic british football pitted against the fluent and playful style of Italy.

 

Stats and Facts

Celtic is as everyone suspected the undisputed leader of the pack in Scotland. 17 wins in 25 Premier League matches tells it all. At Celtic Park they’re 9-2-2. In these 13 games Celtic has only let in 8 goals while scoring 26. In the Champions League group stages Celtic was 2-1-0, beating both Barcelona and Spartak Moscow. The draw came against Benfica. 5 out of Celtic’s 6 group stage games ended over 2.5 goals.

Form wise Celtic in 9-0-1 in their last 10 overall, and they got 6 Premier League home wins on the trot. In 4 of those 6 Celtic managed to win with a clean sheet. Celtic also scored 4 goals in 4 of those matches. Obviously the Scottish Premier League is not the strongest league on this planet, but those are massive stats nonetheless. 

Juventus is 5 points clear at the top of the Serie A table with 17 wins in 24. Away from home in the Serie A Juventus is 8-2-1. In these 11 games Juventus let in 8 and scored 23. The Serie A is a tough league, so these stats are top drawer. In the Champions League this season Juventus is 0-2-1 away. They drew Chelsea at the Bridge (2-2) and only managed 1-1 away to Nordsjaelland. Shakhtar Donetsk was beaten 1-0 away on the last match day of the group stage. Juventus played 3 out of 6 CHL games over 2.5 in the group stages. 2 out of those 3 came on home grass.

Form wise Juventus had a bit of a blip after the winter break. Juventus played fine football but couldn’t convert. Now they’re back to winning ways however with back to back Serie A wins against Chievo and Fiorentina. Overall the Bianconeri is 3-2-1 in all competitions lately, and 4-1-1 away from home.

Team News

For Celtic, Fraser Forster (keeper) is back in contention after a spell on the sidelines. The number One goalie completed 90 minutes against ICT at the weekend. James Forrest (Midfielder) is a doubt. So is defender Ambrose. He plays the ACN final Sunday for Nigeria. This match could come a day or two too soon for him. Izaguirre (Defender) and Samaras (Striker) are 50/50 doubts as well. Several of the best Celtic players were rested or given less game time against ICT this weekend. I also think Celtic will field the “doubt” players that Coach Lennon wants to use for this game. It is just a too massive tie to not field your A line up.

Juventus should be close to full strength now. At the back Bonucci (Defender) will return after sitting out on the Fiorentina game due to suspension. Marchisio (Midfielder) was back in midfield against Fiorentina. Asamoah (Midfielder) is back after playing in the African Cup of Nations. Up front Quagliarella, Vucinic, Giovincio and Matri are all fit and ready to play. Anelka is also in contention after arriving in the January transfer window. Conte will have problems picking his side, but this time around it will be a luxury problem given all the talent he has to choose from. Chiellini (Defender) and Bendtner (Striker) are still out however! 

Howtobet.net expectations on run of play

Lennon could choose to attack the Juventus back line of 3 right off the bat. Scottish intensity could give this classy Italian back line some problems. However, in my opinion more likely that Celtic will go for a slightly more balanced approach. Whatever strategy Celtic goes for, be sure the home side will give their all. Celtic has an exciting mix of players at the peak of their carrier (26-29) and younger talent. In the group stages it was Gary Hooper that grabbed the headlines. He scored some impressive goals, and looked a threat at all times. This season Hooper has scored 23 goals in 32 competitive matches for Celtic. No wonder the EPL teams are knocking on Celtic’s door. If Hooper is having an off night, the experienced Samaras, Fedor or young Anthony Watt can do goal scoring business. Wanyama and Commons (Midfielders) are happy going forward too. So far they have scored twice each the Champions League (Including qualification).

We know what Juventus is all about. They will move the ball around quickly. A lot of that ball moving will be done by Pirlo, so it is important Celtic gets close to the aging football genius. Around Pirlo Marchisio will run, and the wing backs will run at the Celtic defenders trying to deliver convertible chances for the preferred striker or midfield runners. As this is a two legged matchup Juventus will take slightly fewer chances going forward. I do still expect them to have 55-60% of the possession though. Perhaps Juventus will have even more possession if Celtic goes for an ultra-defensive strategy.

Celtic – Juventus betting preview

I think this game will be more like the Benfica game than the Barcelona game for Celtic. Against Barca we saw that Celtic was forced to defend in front of the 16 yard box for much of the game. Juventus is a great side, but they’re not Barca class just yet. Also, Juventus know they can decide this tie at home in Torino, so Celtic should have enough off the ball to create dangerous situations in front of their own fans. I can definitely see Juventus struggling with the style Celtic has to offer, and given the excellent results Celtic has had at home both in the SPL and the Champions League I find the betting market underestimating the Scots. 15/4 (4.75) on Celtic with Betsson Sportsbook is just too high a price for such a fine side playing the first game out of a two-legged contest at home. Home win shout! Be sure to take the £100 Risk Free Bet promotion Betsson currently offers as well. If you bet Celtic, and lose Betsson will refund you, up to €100!

Take Celtic 4.75 (15/4) and the Risk Free £100 here

 

Celtic vs Juventus tips for Asian Handicap

As Celtic is so underestimated in this two-legged cup game (see above) I find the 1X double chance odds at Betsson Sportsbook of 2.05 very attractive. 

If you are a New Customer this is a top opportunity to use the £100 Risk Free Bet. If you sign up with Betsson, follow this tips and lose, just email us at freebet (at) howtobet (dot) net. Betsson will refund your bet, up to £100.

Take 1X and the £100 Risk Free here

 

Celtic v Juventus prediction for Total Goals

The fact that this is a two legged matchup, and that Juventus is likely to shore up their defense are arguments for Under 2.5. However, Celtic is all action and this will give Juventus more than one opportunity on the break. I think personally this is a 50/50 game in terms of Over/Under 2.5. Therefore Over 2.5 odds of over 2.00 must be tested. 

Betsson Sportsbook offers 2.10. That is more than enough value for me! New Customers can also take the £100 Risk Free Bet offer. Value odds, and free cash, who said there is no free lunch?

• Bet now at Betsson

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