Celtic will look to take a huge stride toward the Champions League knockout rounds when they host Young Boys on Wednesday, January 22nd, at 8pm (UK time). The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 3. Find our match preview and best bets below.
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Celtic to Win & Both Teams to Score (6/4 with Sky Bet)
Celtic can take a step towards a Champions League playoff place on Wednesday, and I’m backing them to win the game and for both teams to score. Brendan Rodgers’ side have scored nine goals in three UEFA Champions League matches at Celtic Park this season, last reaching double figures for home goals in a major European campaign in 2003-04 (10).
Celtic’s only defeat in their last seven Champions League matches (W3 D3) was their 7-1 loss at Borussia Dortmund in October. They face a Young Boys side who sit bottom of the 36-team table and are yet to pick up a single point. The Swiss side have shipped 22 goals in their six defeats, however they have scored in their last three.
Daizen Maeda anytime goalscorer (9/4 with Sky Bet)
With three goals, Daizen Maeda is Celtic’s top scorer in Europe this season. Young Boys have conceded 5+ goals in three matches in the Champions League this term and the hosts can score on several occasions on Wednesday. Domestically, the 27-year-old has scored in three of his last five in the Scottish Premiership, with an average of 1.9 shots per 90 minutes.
How both teams go into Celtic vs Young Boys
Celtic are still dreaming of a place in this season’s Champions League knockout rounds, nestled between Real Madrid and Manchester City in 21st place with nine points on the board. A third victory of the campaign here would surely be enough to secure their progression, while even a point would be valuable — although they do have to travel to Aston Villa in their final league phase match.
Young Boys, meanwhile, are playing purely to try and restore some pride, sitting bottom of the table after losing all six of their matches so far. The Swiss side have conceded a whopping 22 goals — more than any other team — while only Bologna (1) have scored fewer than their three goals.
Celtic team news
Odin Thiago Holm has now joined Los Angeles FC and will not feature. James Forrest should be the only absentee for Rodgers, with the winger suffering from a foot issue.
Young Boys team news
Saidy Janko, Miguel Chaiwa and Christian Fassnacht are all on the treatment table for the visitors.
Celtic vs Young Boys head-to-head
The only previous meeting between these sides was across two legs in the first round of the 1993/94 Uefa Cup. Celtic won the second leg 1-0 thanks to an Alain Baumann own goal in extra time, following a 0-0 draw between the sides in Switzerland. Celtic would exit to Sporting CP in the next round.