SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Thursday night's Europa League MD2 action involving Scottish clubs.
Celtic vs Bayer Leverkusen | Thursday 30th September 2021, 20:00 | BT Sport
Ange Postecoglou welcomes Gerardo Seoane’s outfit to Parkhead for this Group G Europa League tie.
Celtic have had plenty of injury issues to deal with in recent weeks It’s unclear at this stage whether talisman Kyogo Furuhashi or captain Callum McGregor will be fit enough to take any part in this matchday 2 game.
The Hoops will need a few reinforcements you feel, to put it up to a strong Die Werkself side – who have made an excellent start to the season, sitting second to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
There are plenty of goals in the visitors line up, including the scourge of the Scots in the summer – Patrik Schick. Leverkusen’s goals this season: 3/1/4/4/3/2/3/1.
With The ‘Tic only keeping 2/7 clean sheets recently (Raith and Ross County), it looks likely the Germans will get on the scoresheet, especially with this being a steep step up in class for the hosts.
Teenage sensation Florian Wirtz has been grabbing the headlines lately – scoring in all four of the recent matches. Including the winner in Europa League matchday 1 against Ferencvaros.
Bet365 go 3/1 for the 18-year-old to score anytime, is maybe worth an interest, as it seems a nice price considering the current form the youngster is in.
Sparta Prague vs Rangers | Thursday 30th September 2021, 17:45 | BT Sport
Sparta’s opening salvo on MD1 in Group A, was a goal less draw in Brondby. Pavel Vrba will have been disappointed by this result, but by all accounts the Iron Sparta, never created enough to win it.
Whereas Rangers were comfortably beaten 2-0 in Govan by group favourites Lyon.
The Gers have now drawn a decent 13/28 of their most recent away trips in the Europa League. Steven Gerrard hinted in his pre-match interview that a stalemate would be quite acceptable, as the next two group games are winnable at Ibrox. It’s obvious that he believes there are three teams playing for 2nd place in this Europa League section.
Rangers lost out 3-1 on aggregate in a fiery last 16 tie last term, to Slavia in this competition, so a point here for the visitors in Prague wouldn’t be sniffed at. Hence, BetVictor’s 23/10 for this to end a stalemate, is maybe worth a dabble.
Best Bets
Celtic vs Bayer Leverkusen – Florian Wirtz to score anytime (3/1 Bet365)
Sparta Prague vs Rangers – Draw (23/10 BetVictor)
