CELTIC and Rangers continue their Europa League excursions on Thursday night. Scottish football expert Mr Fixit (@MrFixitTips) previews their encounters.
Rangers v Villarreal | Thursday 29th November 2018, 20:00 | BT Sport
Rangers take on Villarreal in Group D knowing they could finish first or last. Two points separate the four sides and victory for Steven Gerrard's men would put them in the driving seat with Spartak Moscow entertaining Rapid Vienna in the other game.
Steven Gerrard's side have little to fear after a battling 2-2 draw in Spain and probably shouldn't be underdogs at 13/5 with Bet365 as they are unbeaten in 19 at home. It's a big price that will be lapped up by their fans but the best bet is Gers draw no bet at 6/4 with Unibet.
Both teams have scored in 100% of head-to-head games. It is highly likely that both Rangers and Villarreal will get on the scoresheet, come Thursday. The sides have met three times and all matches have ended in score draws and another pays 18/5 at BetVictor.
Villarreal, lie 16th in La Liga but are unbeaten in five while Rangers will be aiming to move top of the Premiership by beating Hearts on Sunday.
Tuesday's AGM went well with fans happy at the progress being made and reaching the knockout stages would be a massive bonus.
Gerrard again hailed Alfredo Morelos this week and the Colombian is 13/2 (10BET) to score first and 43/20 (888) to net at any time. He missed the match in Spain much to his disappointment and will be hoping to impress the likes of his international team-mate Carlos Bacca who is 15/8 (Betway) to hit the target.
Rosenborg v Celtic | Thursday 29th November 2018, 17:55 | BT Sport
Celtic look as if they'll get a favour from Rosenborg on Thursday night but must hope for fair play in Austria. The Norwegians have hinted at playing a weakened team ahead of their cup final against Stromsgodset on Sunday.
However, the Hoops will have one eye on the battle of the Red Bulls as leaders Salzburg take on Leipzig. The Scots trail the Germans on the head-to-head rule while Salzburg are six points clear with a 100% record.
Salzburg won in Germany and should be favourites but bookies fear a conspiracy theory and are a shade of odds-against at 13/10 (BetVictor). Anyone looking to bet solely looking at form and stats will rub their eyes when they see Salzburg at 9/4 at bet365 with the draw paying 27/10 (Ladbrokes).
I don't know what the advice is here. If it's fought fairly the Austrians – and they insist they want to win – look a great bet. Even Salzburg draw no bet pays 11/8 (SkyBet).
Rosenborg are out of Europe and want to focus on doing the double so Celtic should win but bookies aren't giving much away with Marathon going 63/10.
Celtic make their third visit to Trondheim in a year having won and drawn and they've beaten Rosenborg twice at home this season.
I like everything about the Scots apart from the price so to find some value what about Celtic -1 Asian Handicap at 27/25 (888). We’ll get our stake back if the Bhoys only bag a victory by a solitary strike
. James Forrest drew a blank against Hamilton at the weekend after his Scotland heroics but can net here. Forrest's goal split the sides in the Champions League qualifiers 16 months ago and he is 11/4 (Black Type) to score at anytime.
Best Bets
Rangers v Villarreal – Rangers draw no bet (6/4 Unibet)
Rangers v Villarreal – Alfredo Morelos to score at anytime (43/20 888)
Rosenborg v Celtic – Celtic -1 Asian Handicap (27/25 888)
Rosenborg v Celtic – James Forrest to score at anytime (11/4 Black Type)
