Celtic – Shakhtar Donetsk : Preview & Prediction
Celtic know this is their last chance to stay alive in Europe, although their hopes of reaching the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) are already dead. They will have to win their last two games, including their visit to Real Madrid on the final day, to have any chance of booking a place in the UEFA Europa League (UEL) preliminary knockout round, thanks to having picked up just one point from their four matches so far. That has extended a poor run that encompasses their last seven UCL group stage matches from 2017 where they are winless (E1, P6).
The “Bhoys” have struggled in front of goal, losing at home to RB Leipzig and Real Madrid without scoring, which is a stark contrast to their form domestically where they have won ten of the 11 games they have played (P1) and scored 39 goals in the process. However, manager Ange Postecoglou is unwilling to change his game plan on the continent, insisting that “we will not move away from the type of soccer team we want to be.”
Celtic can therefore take some comfort from seeing Shakhtar Donetsk arrive at Parkhead, given that the Ukrainian side have lost on their two previous trips to Glasgow while picking up just one win in 12 away meetings against British opposition (E2, P9). However, Igor Jovićević’s side, who drew the reverse fixture against this opponent by a 1-1 scoreline in Poland last month, are in a much stronger position in the group, occupying third place with five points after four engagements (G1, E2, P1).
In fact, a draw here would, at worst, secure the “Miners” a place in the UEL preliminary knockout round, but a win and Leipzig’s defeat of Real Madrid would put them in an excellent position to qualify for the UCL round of 16. They should be well prepared for this clash as well, given that their weekend match was postponed in preparation for the trip to Scotland, meaning their last match was a 3-0 win over Kolos Kovalivka in what was their sixth consecutive domestic win.
Players to watch: Celtic striker James Forrest has scored four times in his last two games, and his side have also won in each of the last 22 matches in which they have found the back of the net. Meanwhile, Shakhtar talisman Mykhaylo Mudryk has been involved in 12 of Shakhtar’s 23 goals this year, scoring five times and racking up seven assists.
Standout stat: Six of Celtic’s last nine UCL games have ended with more goals in the second half than the first.
Celtic – Shakhtar Donetsk : Betting Tips
Celtic – Win Odds: 1.75
