Celtic 11/10 to beat AZ Alkmaar in Wednesday’s Europa League qualifying first-leg

Competition: Europa League qualifying

Market: Celtic win

Odds: 11/10 @ 888sport

Looking to pick up what could be a crucial advantage on Wednesday night, Celtic will welcome Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar to Glasgow for a European showdown.

Starting with the hosts, while Celtic might have opened the new campaign with that stunning 2-1 defeat away at Premiership returners Hearts on July 31st, The Hoops have certainly bounced back. Appearing to have finally found their feet under new boss Ange Postecoglou, the Scottish giants are now in the midst of a four-match winning run across all formats. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they gained some revenge against Hearts on League Cup duties following their 3-2 victory, Celtic should find the mood in their camp at a high. Extending on their Europa League adventure after claiming what was an action-packed 7-2 aggregate win against Jablonec last week, the former Melbourne Victory boss has seen his side gain a reputation for their showings in the final third. Including a 6-0 romp against Dundee earlier in the month, Wednesday’s hosts have bagged 16 goals on their four-match winning run.

As for the visitors, while AZ Alkmaar might have enjoyed a long pre-season run, a run that saw them claim victories against the likes of Torino and Real Sociedad, the Dutch outfit failed to keep up that momentum. Despite being tipped as a leading pick to open the 2021/22 Eredivisie campaign with a flurry away at RKC Waalwijk over the weekend, Head Coach Pascal Jansen saw his side get hit with a shock 1-0 defeat on the road. Knowing that they need a real morale boost when they make the trip to Glasgow in midweek, it should be noted that Kaaskoppen do hold a worrying European record on foreign soil. Last seen on Europa League duties getting hit with a 2-1 loss against Rijeka, Wednesday’s guests have lost four of their last five matchups on their travels. With that run highlighted by thumping defeats against the likes of Manchester United and LASK, we’re backing Celtic to pick up an early advantage here.

Bet: Celtic 11/10 to beat AZ Alkmaar in Wednesday’s Europa League qualifying first-leg @ 888sport