AZ Alkmaar v Celtic betting tips: Hoops hold upper hand
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AZ Alkmaar v Celtic preview and odds
Celtic have won six matches in a row and should be full of confidence as we pick out some possible AZ Alkmaar v Celtic betting tips for the second leg of their Europa League play-off.
The aggregate winners will secure their place in the group stage and Celtic are 2-0 up thanks to goals in each half from Kyogo Furuhashi and James Forrest in the first leg.
AZ showed good ambition and attacking threat at times, though, so Celtic still have work to do if they are to qualify.
Match Odds
AZ are slight favourites at 5/4 to win the second leg on Thursday but even that may not be enough to stop Celtic going through.
The Hoops can afford a one-goal defeat in the Netherlands while they are 19/10 to also win the second leg or 13/5 to draw.
Saturday’s 6-0 thrashing of St Mirren made it six straight wins with 24 goals scored in all competitions ahead of a busy week, with the first Old Firm game of the season against Rangers taking place at Ibrox on Sunday.
⚽️ @Tom_Rogic’s wizardry and @Kyogo_Furuhashi’s movement, @afcasiancup 👌
𝟔 𝐢𝐧 𝟔 for the man from Japan 🔥@CelticFCJPN 🇯🇵 #KYOGOAL ㊗️#COYBIG 🍀 pic.twitter.com/KjimAaKs2e
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) August 19, 2021
For now the focus is on the Europa League and boss Ange Postecoglou said: “You go into these big games with an opportunity to play our football and Thursday night is a great opportunity, not just in terms of the game but in terms of our season.
“We are disappointed we went out of the Champions League but we would love to play in the Europa League. We would love to take on the biggest and best in Europe so it is a very important game for us. We go there with belief, for sure.”
With Celtic scoring goals so freely in recent weeks, it is little wonder over 2.5 goals is priced at just 1/2 while both teams to score is even shorter at 4/9.
Talking Tactics
Sitting back and defending their lead would be a risky tactic for Celtic given they conceded in their first four matches of the season, although four clean sheets in their last five games points to an improvement.
This has the makings of an open game given AZ’s need to attack and both teams to score in the first half is an option for AZ Alkmaar v Celtic betting tips at 5/2.
Celtic to win and over 2.5 goals has paid out in five of their last six games and is priced at 14/5.
Goalscorer Odds
Furuhashi has been one of the standout performers for Celtic this season and already has six goals to his name, including the opener in the first leg.
The Japanese star is 6/4 to add to his tally here and 9/2 to open the scoring in AZ Alkmaar v Celtic betting tips.
Midfielder David Turnbull hit a hat-trick at the weekend and is 11/4 to find the net again while Liel Abada, who scored the first two goals, is 13/2 to score first.
Summer signing Vangelis Pavlidis is seen as AZ’s biggest threat at 5/1 to break the deadlock.
Match Info
Where: AFAS Stadion
When: 19:15, Thursday 26th August
How to watch: Premier Sports
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
