Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Atletico Madrid will look to retain top position in Group E when they take on Celtic in round 3 at Celtic Park. Los Rojiblancos have been producing fine displays in all competitions this term and they must be high on confidence following a 3-0 crushing of Celta Vigo. Antoine Griezmann scored a hat-trick at the weekend, meaning that the opposition back-line should have him at bay. Rodrigo de Paul is widely expected to return to the starting XI, while all Jose Gimenez, Memphis Depay, Thomas Lemar, and Reinildo Mandava remain in the recovery room.
The Hoops, on the other hand, do not seem to be competitive at this level, with the team losing to both Feyenoord and Lazio in the first two group games and given their shaky defence, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the capital club. Both Odin Thiago Holm and Gustaf Lagerbielke are back from suspension.
Highlighted Player (Antoine Griezmann):
Anthony Griezmann is a French forward born on 21st March 1991 in Macon, and he is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting footballers at the moment. The pacey striker started showing his potential shortly after coming through Real Sociedad’s youth academy and he went on to score 46 goals in 179 league appearances for La Real. Excellent displays in Spanish la Liga saw him become a target for a number of top clubs, but he eventually choose to sign for Atletico Madrid, and that proved to be a very good decision.
Griezmann continued the rich vein of form at Vicente Calderon, scoring some important goals as los Colchoneros enjoyed domestic and European success, while also becoming a key member of the France national team.
Playing as a winger or second striker, Griezmann possesses impressive technical skills, he is a strong finisher and still finds time to work hard for his side, so no wonder he is widely regarded as one of the leading forwards on the continent. He won the U19 European Championship with France and is tipped to lead Les Bleus to glory on senior level as well.
Highlighted Team (Celtic):
The Celtic Football Club boasts a proud over 100-year long history which has made The Bhoys a global brand thanks to their unprecedented social awareness that dates to the very beginnings of this Scottish club. Celtic was founded in 1887 with the purpose of alleviating poverty in the immigrant Irish population in the East End of Glasgow by raising money to help their fellow citizens.
The charity legacy continues to this day with Celtic still preserving their charitable traditions through the Celtic FC Foundation. The Celts play their home matches at Celtic Park in front of 60,000 people. One of the two most successful football clubs in Scotland with 47 Scottish League Championship titles to their name, Celtic have a long-standing fierce rivalry with Rangers, with the clubs known as the Old Firm.
European Cup winners from season 1966-67 and runners-up two years later, Celtic have been regular in European competitions since their first appearance in 1962-63. Their other most standout results have been runners-up in the EUFA Cup in 2003 and Intercontinental Cup in 1967.