Lille 1/1 to beat Celtic and over 1.5 goals for Thursday’s Europa League showdown

Competition: Europa League

Market: Lille win and over 1.5 goals

Odds: 1/1 @ 888sport

Enjoying what has been a stellar start to the 2020/2021 campaign, French high-flyers Lille will host a downbeat Celtic at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Thursday evening.

Starting with the hosts, while Lille would have been disappointed to have only collected a point against Nice over the weekend, few across Ligue 1 would have expected what has been an eye-catching start for Les Dogues. With only their goal difference keeping them behind defending champions PSG and some around the Stade Pierre-Mauroy believing they could mount a stunning title charge this season, Head Coach Christophe Galtier is yet to see his side taste defeat in any of their nine competitive contests since opening the New Year. Looking to lay down another marker when Celtic come to town in midweek, Lille should also be boosted by a thumping Europa League opener last week. Putting on a clinical display on foreign soil, Lille romped to a 4-1 victory against Sparta Praha.

As for the visitors, while Celtic might have opened the 2020/2021 campaign seen as a landslide pick to reclaim their Premiership crown this season, there does appear to be some growing animosity around Glasgow. Watching Aberdeen bag a last-gasp penalty at Pittodrie over the weekend and eventually having to settle for a dramatic 3-3 draw on their travels, the Hoops have now failed to win any of their last three matchups on the bounce and some in their camp should still be reeling from their Old Firm defeat against Rangers earlier in the month. With growing pressure on Neil Lennon’s position at Celtic Park, Thursday’s guests slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home against AC Milan in their Europa League opener last week and could be in for another tough test on foreign soil.

Bet: Lille 1/1 to beat Celtic and over 1.5 goals for Thursday’s Europa League showdown @ 888sport