Champions League
2012-09-19 - Celtic FC vs SL Benfica
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Match Preview :
Celtic goes into this match knowing that they must turn their home form into a fortress as they are in a group which comprises Spanish giants Barcelona, Russian outfit Spartak Moscow, as well as Benfica. For the record, Celtic have only lost two of their 18 home matches in the Champions League group stage. And now with Celtic returning to the Group stage for the first time in four years Boss Neil Lennon admits it is something special.
Home form is again likely to be key to success in their 50th European campaign and beating Lisbon-based Benfica will no doubt be the perfect start. It must not be forgotten that their legendary 1967 side became the first British team to win the European Cup when they beat Inter Milan in the Portuguese city of Lisbon. And history is certainly on Celtic's side against Benfica. The Portuguese club have visited Glasgow on three previous occasions and have been defeated by their hosts every time.
However, Benfica are a different proposition to the team which Celtic beat 1-0 in their last meeting in November 2007. Jorge Jesus's side impressed many when they got to the quarter-finals last season and that too at the expense of then-Premier League champions Manchester United. The likes of Argentine winger Nicolas Gaitan and Paraguay striker Oscar Cardozo were two of their danger players and will be the players Celtic should watch out for.
But, the two-time European Cup winners, who lost to eventual champions Chelsea in the last eight, will have to cope without the loss of another key pair going into this match. Midfielders Javi Garcia and Axel Witsel left for Premier League title winners Manchester City and Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg respectively in the last transfer window.
Team News :
Celtic Team News :
Celtic have Giorgos Samaras (elbow), Anthony Stokes (ankle), Paddy McCourt (groin), Filip Twardzik (groin) and Beram Kayal (ankle) all out with injuries. Joe Ledley (groin) has not trained so is unlikely to feature, but Scott Brown is available after recovering from a hamstring at the weekend.
Benfica Team News :
The visitors Benfica will be without suspended defender Luisão, who was given a two-month ban for assaulting a referee in a pre-season friendly. Defender Maxi Pereira is also banned, while midfielder Carlos Martins will miss the game through injury. Defender Luisinho has not travelled with the side to Scotland.
Predictions :
Take Celtic to get something from this match and and accept the +1/4 ball handicap bet here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Celtic 1-0 Benfica
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Celtic to win.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Main Bet :
Take Celtic and accept the 1/4 ball.
Take Celtic and accept the 1/4 ball.
