Rosenborg v Celtic
Wednesday, 7.45pm
Live on Premier Sports
Norwegian champions Rosenborg face an uphill struggle if they are to avoid a repeat of last year's elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Celtic. The Troll Children suffered a 3-1 beating at Parkhead in the first-leg of this qualifying second round tie meaning their chances now hang by a thread. Interim coach Rini Coolen did see his men nab a vital away goal to ensure there's life in the return on Wednesday evening.
Rosenborg may have lost convincingly in Glasgow but they did take the lead that night thanks to a powerful drive from the left foot of Birger Melling. That rocked the bulk of an audience in excess of 50,000, but not for long. A double from record signing Odsonne EdouardOlivier Ntcham strike handed power to the Scots. Everyone in the home dressing room know they must now go on the attack but could that work in Celtic's favour?
Bhoys must keep it tight at the back
Celtic have played three Champions League matches so far this summer and scored nine goals, beating Alashkert 3-0 home and away before delivering that 3-1 defeat to Rosenborg last week. In those three qualifiers Brendan Rodgers has congratulated five different scorers, Edouard x3, Dembele x2, Forest x2, Ntcham and McGregor one each. Impressive, but it'll be his defence that holds the key to midweek success and a step closer to the Champions League proper.
This will be the eighth competitive meeting between the two, with the travelling fans taking heart from the stats. The head-to-head record currently stands at Celtic 5-1 Rosenborgwith one draw. The spare level finish came in Glasgow last July courtesy of a 0-0 and we're sure Rodgers would welcome a repeat. Stats fans will also be interested to know four of the last five matches involving these sides has seen at least one fail to find the net.
Rosenborg's price too big to ignore
The locals are up against it and as well as a number of off-field problems following the sacking of popular manager Kare Ingebrigtsen - dumped six days before the first leg - they also must score at least two more against a very well-organised opponent who will be more than happy to sit-in and invite pressure while looking to deliver a knockout blow on the counter-attack.
Celtic did just that on August 2nd 2017 when James Forrest nabbed the only goal of the game at this venue on 69 minutes to send his employers through. Punters expect to see something similar here with 2.34 trading on the Betfair Exchange about an away win. That makes sense, but Celtic can afford to get away with a narrow defeat and that makes the underdogs worth a punt at 3.25. Rosenborg have their problems but that's just too big to ignore.
Four of last five produced a maximum two goals
A tricky tie, no question about it but there's enough markets available to give backers a healthy interest away from the 1-X-2. Total goals may be worth a poke and the stats suggest it's worth taking a chance on another low-scoring affair. Four of the last five renewals of this fixture have produced a maximum of two goals and that includes each of Celtic's last two trips to Norway.
Betfair Sportsbook players can get their hands on a useful 4/5 about under 2.5 goals and that's sure to prove useful in midweek multiples. Rosenborg must score but it's also just as important to keep things tight at the back. Celtic have the luxury of not needing a goal but know the importance of packing their own box and restricting their opponents to shots from range. If you'd prefer over 2.5 goals 10/11 is the offer.
RECOMMENDED BETS
Rosenborg win @ 3.25
Under 2.5 goals @ 4/5
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