CELTIC and Rangers make their Europa League group-stage bows on Thursday night. Scottish football expert Mr Fixit (@MrFixitTips) previews their encounters.
Villarreal v Rangers | Thursday 20th September 2018, 17:55 | BT Sport
Rangers have come a long way in Europe under Steven Gerrard but could be sunk by the Yellow Submarine on Thursday.
Making the Europa League groups was a good achievement but Gers haven’t faced a side anywhere near the quality of Villarreal.
Okay, they don’t look as good as past sides but have quality players in their line-up such as Carlos Bacca, Gerard Moreno and Santi Cazorla.
Villarreal have made a poor start to La Liga with four points from four games but are usually strong at El Madrigal. My only complaint is the prices with the Spaniards no bigger than 1/3 at Betfred – and that’s been lengthened.
Optimistic Gers fans will back their team at a biggest 21/2 with Marathon and at the end of the day Gerrard’s only defeat was 1-0 to Celtic. Rangers not to lose is 13/5 at BetBright.
It’s good to hear Gerrard has identified weaknesses in the opposition, who are missing several midfielders, and he his team won’t sit back. Gers can score if they commit men forward and I’m taking a chance on both to net at 5/4 with William Hill.
Colombian ace Carlos Bacca is my pick to score first at 15/4 with bet365 while he is 13/12 at Unibet to net at any time. With Alfredo Morelos banned, Gers will look to Kyle Lafferty who is 21/5 at Unibet to score.
Celtic v Rosenborg | Thursday 20th September 2018, 17:55 | BT Sport
Celtic face familiar opposition after beating Rosenborg in the Champions League qualifiers.
Their 3-1 win at Parkhead was more emphatic than the scoreline suggests and I’m backing them again at 1/2 with Ladbrokes.
To win by at least two Brendan Rodgers’s side are 7/5 with Paddy Power and another 3-1 pays 12/1 at Ladbrokes. Both to score has a chance at 23/25 at Marathon.
It was Odsonne Edouard who was the hero back in August with two goals and the Frenchman is 3/1 at SkyBet to net first if he makes his comeback after injury and 32/25 (Marathon) to score.
Best Bets
Villarreal v Rangers – Both Teams To Score (5/4 William Hill)
Villarreal v Rangers – Carlos Bacca to score at anytime (13/12 Unibet)
Celtic v Rosenborg – Both Teams To Score (23/25 Marathon)
Celtic v Rosenborg – Odsonne Edouard to score at anytime (32/25 Marathon)
