Champions League
2008-03-04 - Barcelona vs Celtic
A Sports Betting Pick by chappers
UEFA Champions League - First Knockout Round
Camp Nou 3rd March 2008 KO 7.45PM
Barcelona (2nd La Liga)
Played 26 with 54 points
Barca are the team that I follow in regards to Europe and have done since I was a kid, so I also watch them whenever they are on the TV. And this season has been a strange one but to be fair they have had a there fair share of injury's this season. But when you have players like Messi, Eto, Henry, Ronaldiddlydeano you will always expect them to there or there about's in regards to the Champions League.
This year is no different with them getting what for me was an easy draw when Celtic game out of the hat. However the first league was nothing of the sorts when Celtic twice went ahead but Barca pegging them back twice and winning in the end by one goal but also getting three away goals in the process.
In La Liga Barca have been very well of late and where unbeaten in eight games until the 4-2 defeat away at Ath Madrid. Now I didn’t see this game so not sure what strength team Barca had out. With that defeat they are now five points behind league leaders Real Madrid but for me what I’ve seen of the two giants of Spanish football in recent weeks, Barca could be the ones to win the league and also a team that will fancy their chances in the Champions League.
Celtic(2nd SPL)
Played 27 with 64 points
Celtic are currently second in the SPL and the Champions League is not something they would look at as something to win. However they would have been over the moon to make the last 16 and with a cracking home win on the way v AC Milan then they would have looked at this match up v Barca as being winnable but they would have meant a win in the first leg at Park head.
However this didn’t come and like I’ve said with them taking the lead twice they would have hoped to have more than they have going to the Camp Nou. They haven’t and Celtic take their awful away record in the Champions League to the Spanish giants. When asked after the home leg, wee Gordon said that even he wouldn’t put his house on Celtic getting the result needed to go through.
In the league Celtic have been staying with Rangers and now find that they are four points of their Glasgow neighbours but with at least three old firm games to come the title in Scotland could go to either team.
Verdict
For me this has to be a banker win for Barca and I just can not see Celtic getting anywhere near them. Celtic also have the added fact that they need at least maybe a 2-0 win in order to go through and I think even the most biased Celtic fan cannot see this happening. It will be interesting to see how Celtic play this game as if they go for it early then they could get hammered with the quality that Barca have. The bookies agree with a price of 1.25, which I think is a little high to be honest and was expecting about 1.10 or so.
Anyway I cannot see past Barca winning this with ease and they will be in my treble with Man U and Chelsea
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Barca to win this game
