FC Astana v Celtic: Tuesday's Champions League betting preview and tips

Football

Wed August 23, 2017 · 7y ago

Nick Hext is going low on goals in the return leg of the Champions League tie between FC Astana and Celtic on Tuesday night.

Recommended bet: FC Astana v Celtic

3pts under 2.5 goals in FC Astana v Celtic at 53/50 - each of Celtic's last seven Champions League qualifiers away from home have finished below this mark

1pt no goalscorer in FC Astana v Celtic at 23/2 - worth a small stake with Celtic needing to do nothing more than keep it simple

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FC Astana (0) v Celtic (5) (1630 BST, BT Sport 2)

It's understating it somewhat to write that Celtic have one foot already in the Champions League group stage.

The Scottish champions are 5-0 ahead on aggregate against FC Astana of Kazakhstan after a dominant performance in the first leg at Parkhead.

The tie reconvenes at the Astana Arena but the Kazakh club's hopes of a spot in the lucrative group stage alongside Europe's premier sides are already over.

Celtic just need to avoid a historic capitulation to make it through qualifying for the second season in a row and I'm sure they'll get the job done with a solid display.

Everything points to a lack of drama in this return game and that has been the way in Celtic's Champions League qualifiers away from home over the last three campaigns.

The last seven of Celtic's qualifying matches on their travels have come in under the 2.5 goals mark. That includes a 1-1 draw with Astana as Brendan Rodgers' side progressed against the Kazakh champions last term.

Three of Astana's four Champions League qualifiers this season before meeting Celtic also produced less than 2.5 goals. They just don't have the attacking prowess to trouble the Scottish Premiership leaders.

Rodgers' side are unbeaten so far in the new campaign and it was a clinical performance that secured their advantage in this tie.

Celtic managed to defeat Astana 5-0 despite only having three shots on target. Scott Sinclair's double and an effort from James Forest were added to by a couple of own goals from the visitors to Parkhead.

Celtic ran riot against Astana

There was no danger of Astana putting the ball in the right net so I also want an interest in no goalscorer on Tuesday.

Only one goal was scored as Celtic made it through against Rosenborg in the last round and the strength still sits with the Scottish Premiership champions in their organisation rather than attacking flair.

They have a big game domestically on Saturday with in-form St Johnstone representing a fair test, and there's nothing to be gained by going all-out here. As such, under 2.5 goals looks the best bet with a smaller go on no goalscorer.

Kick-off is early at 1630 BST for viewers in the UK. Just don't expect too much entertainment.

Prediction: FC Astana 0-0 Celtic

Posted at 1150 BST on 21/08/17.