Celtic v Legia Warsaw: Hosts to rescue Champions League dream
Published:Ronny Deila’s start to life at Celtic could not have gone much worse after a first half Efe Ambrose red card handed Champions League qualification opponents Legia Warsaw the initiative with the Polish outfit going on to win 4-1.
But the Bhoys have been here before and while the likes of Georgios Samaras may no longer be at the club, the Scottish Champions will know that a 3-0 win – priced at 11/1 with Ladbrokes – will be enough to see off Henning Berg’s team.
The Hoops are nevertheless the 1/2 favourites for victory on the night, with the Poles a distant 5/1 to pick up an away win with the draw on at 10/3 with the bookmakers.
However, we’ve scoured all the available markets to bring you three of the very best bets on offer.
One of the few bright spots in an otherwise frustrating first-leg encounter with Legia, McGregor gave Celtic the early lead in Poland before things fell apart for the Hoops.
The 21-year-old netted for Celtic in the previous round against KR and having impressed already for the Hoops in Europe this term, will be expected to play a part against Legia here and should be backed to continue his fine scoring form.
A long shot perhaps, but Celtic have been here and done it before, overturning a similar first-leg deficit against Shaktar Karagandy en route to last season’s Champions League group phase.
The intimidating home atmosphere of Murrayfield will help things – as it did when they beat Karagandy 3-0 at Celtic Park last year – and the Bhoys will be confident of getting among the goals, having put four past KR at home in the previous round.
Ivica Vrdoljak was one missed kick away from becoming Europe’s answer to Martin Palermo – the Argentine forward who famously fluffed three penalties for La Albiceleste – after failing to convert twice from the spot against Celtic in the first leg.
And while it’s certainly a big call to predict another miss here, in Hoops goalkeeper Fraser Forster the Scots’ have someone keen to impress ahead of a potential move to the Premier League. A penalty save would go a long way to helping his chances.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £100 in free bets.
