Champions League
2008-11-05 - Glasgow Celtic vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Glasgow Celtic
Celtic are now drinking in the last chance saloon when it comes to attempting to make the last 16 of the Champions League this season and anything but a win in this match should leave them with too much to do to qualify. They do lead the Scottish Premier Division with a 9-1-1 record, scoring 29 goals and conceding 13. At Celtic Park, they are 5-0-1 with 17 goals scored and 8 conceded.
Celtic are 0-1-2 in the Champions League at the moment and find themselves 6 points behind Villarreal and United. They have yet to score in their 3 matches and drew 0-0 in their only home game against Aalborg.
They have come back from their 3-0 defeat at United with 3 straight wins and will look to rally behind their amazing home record in this competition. Celtic are unbeaten in their last 5 games at Celtic Park in all competitions, and they have won 4 in a row at home.
Celtic are missing a number of players for this game again. Samaras, Vennegoor of Hessilink and Killen are all missing as strikers. Glenn Loovens and Marc Crosas are also missing.
Manchester United
United are making a charge up the Premier League table after a tough start to the season and find themselves 5 points behind the leaders with an extra game to play. United are 3rd in the table with a 6-3-1 record and have scored 19 goals while conceding 8. Their away record is 2-2-1 with 6 goals scored and 4 conceded, but this does not identify that they have played some really tough away matches already this season including Chelsea and Liverpool.
In the Champions League, the Red Devils have a 2-1-0 record and they have kept 3 clean sheets in their games so far. They have already won 0-3 in Denmark and will look to gain the 3 points that will book a place in the next stage.
United are unbeaten in their last 11 games in all competitions, and they have won 8 of their last 9 games. They are unbeaten in their last 4 away games and have only conceded 2 goals in that time. United have only failed to score in 1 of their games in all competitions so far this season.
Edwin Van der Sar, Gary Neville and Wes Brown have all been left in Manchester with the game against Arsenal in mind. Ben Foster is likely to deputise for Van der Sar and Rafael Da Silva is going to take a position at right back. Other than long term injury victims, Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes, United have a full squad to choose from.
Head to Head
While United and Celtic have met in a number of friendly games over the years, they have only played 3 previous competitive matches. United have entertained Celtic 2 times and won both games.
However, 2 years ago at the same stage and in the same competition, United travelled to Parkhead and somehow lost 1-0.
Prediction
Celtic come into the game with a number of injury problems and will be hoping their strong home record in this competition as well as the fans can help carry them through this game. They need the points if they wish to have any chance of making the last 16 of this competition and a defeat could be the end of that dream.
United have a huge game against Arsenal on Saturday but they will want to set the record straight after losing here 2 years ago. A draw would be a result that will almost guarantee a place in the next stage but a win would put United through and I think thats what they will expect to come home with.
This is a tough game to call in that Celtic will be really up for it but last time they met here saw United dominate the game but fail to take their chances. However, the squad has grown up since then, and there are too many players capable of breaking the deadlock that I expect United to come through and win. Sir Alex Ferguson will pick a team to win and I can see Rooney, Ronaldo and Berbatov all starting.
The Pick :
Glasgow Celtic 0-2 Manchester United
