Celtic v RB Leipzig: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Brendan Rodgers and his Celtic side banished memories of a mauling in Dortmund when they held Atalanta scoreless in Italy last time, and now the Bhoys square up to RB Leipzig at Parkhead.

The Bundesliga side haven't registered a single point in the competition so far, but their three losses have all been by the odd goal against Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool.

Celtic thumped Slovan Bratislava 5-1 in Glasgow in their opener before shipping seven in Dortmund but they got back on track with that draw in Bergamo.

Celtic v RB Leipzig Predictions

Draw - 14/5

Celtic had their ego well and truly bruised after that seven-goal mauling in Dortmund on matchday two but, to their credit, some pride was restored in Bergamo as they shut out a potent Atalanta side.

They return to home soil now and Rodgers will know that what they can do at Parkhead will determine whether they make the knockout phase. Putting to one side the seven goals shipped in Germany, four points from three games is something the Celtic boss would surely have accepted at this point.

That said, RB Leipzig are a dangerous opponent. Despite being yet to get off the mark in this competition, the Bundesliga side have tussled with three European A-listers so far and are unfortunate to have nothing to show for it.

Those three losses, and a domestic reverse at Dortmund on Saturday, means Marco Rose's side are unlikely to arrive in Glasgow brimming with confidence.

Leipzig won both meetings in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League group stage, with Timo Werner and substitute Emil Forsberg scoring late in Glasgow as an Ange Postecoglou-led home side went down 2-0.

This version of Celtic is better prepared for the European challenge and a high-scoring draw could be in the offing. A 2-2 correct score at 11/1 is tempting but the stalemate represents decent value on its own merits.

Daizen Maeda anytime goalscorer - 3/1

Japanese winger Daizen Maeda ended a run of four games without a goal as he helped himself to a hat-trick in Saturday's League Cup semi-final rout of Aberdeen.

Maeda was in good form earlier this season, scoring in Celtic's opening two UEFA Champions League games amid a run of seven goals in eight starts for club and country.

His pace is a constant threat and he picks up good positions, especially coming late when Nicolas Kuhn and Alistair Johnston are causing problems on the opposite flank.

Maeda is a real threat now for Celtic as a goalscorer and could net his third European goal of the season.  

Over 3.5 goals - 11/8

The scoreless draw in Italy last time is likely an outlier for how Celtic's games will continue to go. They put six past Aberdeen on Saturday and six goals were scored in their opening UEFA Champions League game here before eight followed in Germany.

There was just one netted as Leipzig lost to Liverpool last time but there were five goals in the home loss to Juventus and three as they lost to Atletico Madrid in September before that.

With Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda likely spearheading their attack, they'll be a serious threat to Celtic's rearguard. Both teams have the capability to get goals and the propensity to concede them, as Leipzig illustrated on matchday two when they allowed 10-man Juve to score twice to turn the game around.

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Celtic v RB Leipzig Odds

Celtic - 11/5
Draw - 14/5
RB Leipzig - 21/20

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.

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