SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Thursday night's Europa League MD5 action involving Scottish clubs.
Milan vs Celtic | Thursday 3rd December 2020, 17:55 | BT Sport
The turmoil Celtic are currently enduring has been well documented. Only two wins in their last 10 matches, has seen lots of speculation about Neil Lennon's future. Currently the board seem to be sticking with him, especially after demonstrations outside Celtic Park at the weekend. Dermot Desmond and Peter Lawwell, for the time being at least, it seems are not going to react to mob rule.
The Rossoneri, as you would expect go into this as strong favourites. The hosts still have a bit of work left to do in Group H, as they currently sit in second spot with seven points, one point behind Lille and one ahead of Sparta Prague in third.
My angle into this one is the possibility of goals. Celtic despite being unable to qualify out of Group H now, are very much playing for pride and for their managers future. You would think there would be some kind of reaction from the players, especially after the abuse they have taken from all quarters.
In the Hoops' last 39 matches away however, Celtic have actually scored in 36. The ‘Tic's matches all season have tended to be goal-laden, and with Milan having a few injuries and usually rotating a bit for Thursday evenings, it could be quite an open match-up. For that reason I like Bet365’s Bet Builder option of Both Teams To Score and Over 2.5 Goals at 21/20.
Rangers vs Standard Liege | Thursday 3rd December 2020, 20:00 | BT Sport
It was a case of deja vu last week as Rangers gave up a two-goal lead for the second time to draw against Benfica. However, the Gers still sit in a strong position in Group D, joint top with Benfica with eight points. Both Standard Liege and Lech Poznan have it all to do – with only three points apiece, with two games to come.
So far at Ibrox this season, the hosts are currently: W10-D1-L0, and have kept clean sheets in 9/11. Only Galatasaray and Benfica have breached the Teddy Bears defence at home this term.
Standard don't exactly look goal-laden away, having scored in three of their last seven matches on the road, scoring only four times in those seven games. Plus they've already been shut-out by Rangers 2-0 in the reverse fixture in Belgium.
After last Thursday’s slight slip-up, Steven Gerrard will be determined that his side will get job done of qualification with the minimum of fuss. So for that reason, and with their ultra-impressive defensive stats this term in mind, BetVictor's 7/4 for the Gers to win to nil, does make some appeal.
Best Bets
Milan vs Celtic – Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams To Score (21/20 Bet365)
Rangers vs Standard Liege – Rangers to win to nil (7/4 BetVictor)
