Celtic vs Rosenborg - UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round Preview and Odds

Published on: 25/07/2017

Celtic vs Rosenborg - UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round Preview and Odds

July 26, 2017 19:45pm - Celtic Park

UEFA Champions League 3rd Qualifying Round

After cruising to a 6-0 aggregate win over Linfield FC of Belfast in the 2nd Qualifying Round, Celtic will now face a stiffer test when they face Norwegian league champions Rosenborg at Celtic Park on Wednesday night.

With a tricky trip to Norway to come, the Bhoys will keen to make the most of home advantage in the first leg as they look to book their place in the group stages of Europe`s elite competition.

Brendan Rogers` men will almost certainly go on the offensive as they seek to build a lead ahead of the second leg. They were well beaten in a recent friendly against French side Lyon but field many youngsters including Sam Wardrop, Kerr McInroy, Calvin Miller, Jack Aitchison and Regan Hendry in that match. In competitive matches, they are unbeaten since their Champions League defeat to Barcelona way back in November, and they have scored in each of their last 35 games.

Meanwhile, Rosenborg do not have a great record when it comes to keeping clean sheets and you have to imagine that they will concede here. They squeezed past Dundalk (after extra time) in the last round and will find themselves more severely tested in the Scottish capital.

The crucial objective for the visitors will be scoring an away goal. If they can achieve that then a 2-1 or 3-1 defeat will not seem unsurmountable on home soil. They will be buoyed by the fact that the Scots have struggled to shut out Champions League opponents on home soil, conceding at least once in five of their last six fixtures at Celtic Park. The Scottish champs also shipped four goals in the recent friendly game against Lyon.

When the two sides last met in the group stage of this competition back in 2001, they both enjoyed home wins with neither side managing to score on the road.

Recent form (All competitions)

Celtic: WLWWD

Rosenborg: WWDWD

Betting odds and tips

An open game should be expected with Celtic driving forward and their opponents seeking to hit on the counter-attack. Both sides have defensive issues so goals can be expected and the Over 2.5 Goal bet stand out in this match. You can back Over 2.5 Goals at 3/4 with Bet365

By Neil Morris