THE Old Firm takes place this Sunday but first Rangers and Celtic are in Europa League action. Scottish football expert Mr Fixit (@MrFixitTips) previews.
UFA v Rangers | Thursday 30th August 2018, 15:00
Celtic should ease past Suduva but it’s tougher for Steven Gerrard’s men who take a 1-0 lead to Russian Euro rookies Ufa.
I tipped Gers to qualify last week but expected them to win 2-0 or 3-0 at home so this one’s finely balanced.
Gerrard’s men should still qualify and are just 1-4 at bet365 to do so but may need to score and that pays 2-5 at Coral.
Before the 3-3 weekend draw at Motherwell the Scots had been defensively sound but aside from conceding three goals it was worrying to see them battered in the closing stages.
Ufa aren’t high scorers and their only goals in seven games were home and away to Progres Niederkorn and they conceded in both legs to the Luxembourg side.
So if Gers score they should make the groups as Ufa are unlikely to hit three. Maribor are a better side than Ufa and Gerrard managed to inspire a 0-0 draw in Slovenia so I’m on the Ibrox men to win or draw at 8-15 with William Hill.
Alfredo Morelos could be again joined up top by Kyle Lafferty who netted two on his debut against Well. Lafferty is 11-5 with bet365 to score tonight with Morelos 8-5 at Coral.
Celtic v Suduva | Thursday 30th August 2018, 20:00
Celtic beat Suduva 8-1 at home 16 years ago but today’s side lacking a cutting edge. A 1-0 win against Hamilton summed up their season with chances missed.
Brendan Rodgers’s side are massive favourites to win at 1-7 with bet365 so if you want value you have to put faith in them winning by two or three.
I wouldn’t go past minus one which pays 2-5 at bet365.
Moussa Dembele looks on his way to Lyon and Odsonne Edouard won’t start so Leigh Griffiths is the man to back for first scorer at 3-1 with bet365.
Best Bets
UFA v Rangers – Rangers to score
Celtic v Suduva – Celtic -1 handicap
Rangers to score and Celtic -1 handicap double (19/20 Sporting Bet)
Celtic v Suduva – Leigh Griffiths to score first (3/1 Bet365)
