Thursday evening, at 17:55, FC Salzburg receives Celtic Glasgow’s visit in the second round of the UEFA Europa League. In the first round of group B, Celtic enforced Rosenborg with 1-0, while Salzburg won the duel with “sister” RB Leipzig, score 3-2.
There are no significant batch problems in the two camps, but Celtic will be surprised by the Austrian style of play and speed. Red Bull Salzburg is a spectacular team that marks the automatic fire in the domestic competition. In the last two matches in Austria, Salzburg has managed a 6-0 in the Schwaz Cup and a 4-1 away with the Wolfsberger in the championship. Moreover, the semi-finalist of last year’s Europa League boasts a series of 6 consecutive wins in all competitions and a 21-6 golaver in the lead! Salzburg lost the last official match just last season with Austria Vienna, when the fight for the title was practically finished.
Celtic comes after a series of unplanned performances.
Celtic does not have much to boast of lately. After another disappointing elimination from the Champions League, the Scottish band must be content with the European League tournament, and manager Brendan Rodgers admitted that it is sometimes difficult to motivate his students. After scores of 0-0 with St. Mirren and a 1-2 shooter at Kilmarnock, Celtic returned to the victorious road and passed 1-0 by Aberdeen in the previous round.
The white-haired ones have lost the brilliance when Dembele sold to Lyon, and creativity suffered in the middle of the field. Scotland’s most dangerous man remains striker Leigh Griffiths, who is backed by players such as Forrest, Edouard or Sinclair. Celtic practice a force-based game and it will be hard for him to organize his passes at a suffocating pace imposed by the hosts.
The two clubs have met twice in modern history, both matches for the 2014/2015 UEFA Europa League season. Four years ago he was 2-2 in Salzburg and 3-1 for Austrians on “Celtic Park”, when Alan (double) and Naby Keita decided victory in favor of the guests. As of then, Salzburg has a more technically endowed lot, and if it evolves to its full capacity, it should beat Celtic, who has struggled lately even with lower-ranking Scottish teams.
PREDICTION: Salzburg to win @ 1.53
