CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING PICK - CELTIC V BARCELONA

Champions League

2012-11-07 - Celtic vs Barcelona

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

Celtic v Barcelona
Football: European Champions League
Wednesday 7 November 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
This game is live on TV

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Celtic

There were literally seconds to go in the Nou Camp two weeks ago and it seemed Celtic were going to pick up a famous point that would leave them in a very strong position to make it to the last 16 in the Champions League. However, Barcelona scored a late winner, although that hasn't dented Celtic's chances of progressing and that remains in their own hands.

Following a home draw with Benfica, Celtic managed to recover from a 1 goal deficit to beat Spartak Moscow in Russia and they are still 2nd in the Group as the Russians beat Benfica last time out. Celtic currently enjoy a 1 point lead over Spartak Moscow in 2nd spot in the Group, but they are to host the Russian side next time out and will feel confident of their own abilities to get through.

Celtic have only had 1 win in their last 4 games in all competitions and were held to a 2-2 draw at Dundee United last weekend despite having a 0-2 lead. The side have won 4 of their last 5 home games in all competitions, the only defeat in that time coming against Kilmarnock just days after that heartbreaking loss in Barcelona. Celtic are unbeaten in 4 home games in the Champions League since losing back to back games here against Dinamo Moscow and Arsenal.

Emilio Izaguirre has been ruled out with an injury suffered at the weekend and joins the likes of Thomas Rogne in being ruled out. However, there are some serious doubts surrounding Gary Hooper, James Forrest and Lassad Nouioui with only Hooper really having a chance of being passed fit. Giorgos Samaras is another who could miss out.

Barcelona

Pep Guardiola left Barcelona in the Summer and while their domestic form hasn't been affected, it has to be said that they haven't looked like the favourites to win the Champions League in the early part of the Group Stage. The game against Celtic was the second time they have struggled to put away 'lesser' teams at home, although that may just have focused them for this tough trip to Celtic Park.

Despite the 'struggles', Barcelona have won all 3 games they have played in this Group and that means a win would seal top spot as long as Spartak Moscow don't win in Portugal against Benfica. Barcelona have won both of their home games by the slenderest of margins, although they did record a comfortable 0-2 win in Benfica.

Barcelona have won 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions, including 5 in a row coming into this one. They have won 6 straight away games in all competitions, scoring at least 2 goals in each of those games and hitting at least 3 goals in 5 of those wins. The side had failed to win, or score, in their last 2 away games in the Champions League last season, but bounced back to win 0-2 at Benfica this season and they have won 6 straight away from home before that 2 game failure.

Gerard Pique has been absent for the last few weeks with an injury and he may be given some time to play in this one, but Adriano is out. Carles Puyol is another on the road to recovery but he will be missing in this one too.

Head to Head

Barcelona have played here at Celtic Park twice in the last few seasons in the Champions League and Celtic have failed to win either of those games while they have conceded 3 goals in each of those losses.

The last time they met, Celtic did hold a 1-0 and 2-1 lead here before eventually losing 2-3 in the 2009 Champions League season.

Prediction

Barcelona got a mighty scare in the first game between these teams, but they are clearly motivated in this one to secure their place in the last 16 as Tito Vilanova has already been speaking about resting players down the stretch.

That should add to the Celtic hope that they can prevent Barcelona from qualifying on Wednesday night as it will be key to their chances of reaching the last 16 that Barcelona play their best team against Spartak Moscow and Benfica in their remaining games.

It will be difficult for Celtic to keep tabs on Barcelona for a second game unless Fraser Forster puts in a performance as he did at the Nou Camp a couple of weeks ago. It is also going to be tough for Celtic to sit back and absorb pressure as a loud crowd will urge them to push forward.

This is going to surely give Barcelona a little more space and Celtic Park is certainly not the tough venue to visit as it was a few years ago. Barcelona have also have experience of coming this ground and winning so I expect they will do so.

The Spanish side have scored 3 goals in each of their last 2 visits to Celtic Park and that has been priced as odds against to happen again- however, I prefer backing Barcelona to win this one by a couple of goals at the least as they will have a better understanding of what they will be faced with and they were comfortable winners at Benfica earlier in the Group and that 0-2 scoreline looks a good one again.

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The Pick :