Celtic could conjure up more Parkhead magic in Juventus visit
Published:Celtic are huge underdogs at 10/3 on Tuesday night, when they welcome reigning Italian champions Juventus to Celtic Park in the last 16 of the Champions League.
But punters should not sniff at that price, considering Celtic’s terrific European record over the years in Scotland.
The hosts have lost only once in 22 Champions League home ties, winning on 15 occasions.
And Neil Lennon’s men certainly have a penchant for stepping their game up when the most glamorous of European opposition are their visitors.
That notion was proved as recently as this season, when Barcelona, European champions two of the past four years, were humbled 2-1 in Glasgow.
Further confidence in the hosts should stem from their head-to-head record against the Old Lady too.
In four meetings between the pair, the sides share two victories apiece, each coming at their respective home grounds.
Celtic emerged victorious in a 4-3 thriller the last time the teams locked horns back in 2001, whilst both of their wins have come via the margin of a solitary goal.
A 1-0 Celtic win is priced at a lengthy 10/1 here, whilst dreamy punters envisaging a repeat of that famous night 12 years ago can have 200/1 on a 4-3 home win.
Meanwhile, it should be noted that the strong traditional home form of the Hoops has been a feature of their European campaign this year too.
A Parkhead draw against an impressive Benfica side preceded the aforementioned Barcelona result, and a 2-1 success against a strong Spartak Moscow outfit.
Thus, those intending to side with 4/5 Juventus should do so with caution, with the 13/5 draw arguably a better option.
The Turin-based side have not lost in their travels in Europe this term however, though their most regularly recurring result has come in the form of a stalemate.
But brimming with confidence from their incredible European exploits so far this term, Celtic could very well spring another surprise on Tuesday night.
Both of their Champions League home wins this season have come via a 2-1 scoreline, and a home win featuring over 2.5 goals looks a tempting bet at 15/2.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
