Barcelona v Celtic: Bhoys to be brought back to reality

Christian Crowther expects Celtic to suffer their first Champions League defeat of the season, and a heavy one at that... Celtic's historic win in Moscow has given  them a platform for success in Champions League Group G, though two straight games against Europe's finest will prove a real leveller. The first of those encounters in  the Camp Nou will offer the harshest examination, as 14 wins and no losses for Barcelona in their last 17 Champions League home games testifies.

As Opta inform us Celtic's record in Spain hardly offers much comfort either as the Hoops are winless in their previous 12 trips there, losing nine times and recording  three draws.

 

At least Neil Lennon has tasted victory over the Catalans as a player however, as part of the Celtic side which ousted Barcelona out of the 2003/04 UEFA Cup over two  legs.

 

Success in the Camp Nou is perhaps better measured in achieving draws or clinging on to an aggregate advantage rather than winning and the blueprint for this has been  laid down by Chelsea and Inter before them. Basically, be prepared to play the whole game camped in your own half waiting for that one chance to catch Barca on the  break.

 

It's a dangerous method though with the defence-splitting passing skills of some of Barca's fluid forward line such as Cesc Fabregas.

 

The ex-Arsenal man has been in sublime form in recent weeks, showcased by two of the cutest assists in helping Lionel Messi on his way to yet another hat-trick against  Deportivo on Saturday.

 

Celtic will certainly have gained huge belief from beating Spartak away from home but it's hard to see anything other than a convincing home win here.

 

Barcelona to win to nil

 

As Opta tell us  Celtic have failed to score in four of their last five European games against Spanish opponents, including the last three in Spain.

 

Added to this, the Scottish champions have failed to score in nine of their last 13 European matches on Spanish soil, netting just once in each of the other three  games.

 

Barcelona Total Goals

 

Lionel Messi is a law unto himself when it comes to goalscoring exploits and should be in the line-up against Celtic providing his first child has arrived on time.

 

The Argentine netted a hat-trick for Barca on Saturday evening, making it the seven straight games in which Barcelona have scored two or more goals and the fourth time  in that run where they have scored at least three.

 

Best Bet: Back Barcelona to win to nil @ 1.66

Other Recommended Bet: Back Barcelona to score four or more goals @ 2.26

 

(Source: Betfair)

 

 

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