Celtic to strike first once again

 

Celtic travel to Benfica with the knowledge that victory will see them qualify. Christian Crowther believes they can get at least a draw...

 

 

Benfica v Celtic, Tuesday 19:45, Sky Sports 2, Match Odds: Benfica 1.49, Celtic 7.8, The Draw 4.7

 

The omens seem to be with Celtic this season as the Scots return to the city which delivered their finest hour in 1967 as they take on Benfica.

 

A win in Lisbon will seal the Hoops' place in the Champions League knockout stages and, after downing the mighty Barcelona, suddenly anything appears possible.

 

Neil Lennon's side have been inspirational in this year's competition and fully deserved their historic triumph over the Catalans at Celtic Park, even if the possession stats suggested otherwise.

 

Of course, it was only the cruellest of last-minute winners which stopped the Scottish champions from claiming four points against the reputed finest team on the planet.

 

So omens or not, it's clearly no accident that Celtic have got themselves within touching distance of the last 16, as any team in the competition which beats Barca are worth their place in the latter stages.

 

The tone for this campaign was set with their opening away win against Spartak Moscow and the bar has remained exceptionally high since, as Celtic have stepped up their game to a level seldom witnessed in the SPL this term.

 

A 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture against Benfica shows that their latest opponents are no mugs however, and a win for the Portuguese will actually lift them above Celtic by virtue of head-to-head supremacy.

 

Celtic have a bad record at the Estadio da Luz too - losing all three previous visits - so they will require the sort of resolute performance which has typified them in Group G.

 

Celtic would certainly settle for a point with a home game against Spartak remaining and Benfica travelling to the Camp Nou.

 

Next (First) Goal

Celtic are in the business of initiative-taking in this year's Champions League, scoring the first goal in their last three Group G matches.

 

In fact, Neil Lennon's side have now taken the lead in their last five games across all competitions.

Under 2.5 goals

The last game between these sides produced a stalemate and it's difficult to see the floodgates opening here.

 

As Celtic have already proved against Barcelona, their defence is up to the task in Europe and it's likely their game plan will be to soak up pressure and try and nick

something on the counter or from a set piece.

 

Celtic's last two league matches have come up short of the 2.5 mark, while Benfica have failed to score in two out of four group games.

 

Best Bet:

Back Celtic to score the first goal @ 3.4

Other Recommended Bet:

Back under 2.5 goals @ 2.26

 

Bet HERE !

 

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