Prediction: Celtic vs AC Milan

Prediction: AC Milan win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

The UEFA Europa League is back in our lives this week and fans are buckling up for an incredibly busy schedule between now and Christmas. There are clubs across the continent that will be scratching and clawing to try and qualify for the knockout stage of this great competition and they’ll be doing so in a pretty short period of time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, we’re going to be taking a look at the clash between historic European juggernauts Celtic and AC Milan.

Celtic

As Celtic go in search of what would be a vitally important league title this season, many have been left to wonder whether or not this squad, in its current form, is running out of juice. Their loss to bitter rivals Rangers at the weekend really did highlight their frailities and they’ve failed to make any kind of substantial impact in Europe for years now. If they want to change that, then they need to second guess the tactics they’re producing.

Team News

Forrest and Johnston are both confirmed injury absences for this one whereas Bitton, Christie and Elhamed are all set to be gameday decisions. Elsewhere, Laxalt will be able to play against his parent club and will probably feature.

AC Milan

With four wins from their first four Serie A games it’s safe to say that AC Milan aren’t here to mess around. They are leading the charge over in Italy and they’re doing so with the kind of efficency and poise that they’ve been lacking for the better part of a decade now. They don’t even need to win the league title this season to announce their return to the big time – all they need to do is be consistent both domestically and in the Europa League.

Team News

Duarte hasn’t made the trip to Glasgow despite testing negative for COVID-19 whereas Gabbia’s fitness will be assessed to see whether or not he can play. Ibrahimovic could well be rested but elsewhere, Rebic, Musacchio and Calhanoglu will all be big absences for Milan.

Factors to Consider

• The other two clubs in Group H are Lille and Sparta Prague.
• Celtic have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• AC Milan have won five and drawn one of their last six games.
• Celtic have scored 10 goals and conceded four in their last six games.
• AC Milan have scored 14 goals and conceded five in their last six games.

Conclusion

With a full stadium this could’ve easily been another famous European night for Celtic but in the current climate, we just can’t imagine that being the case. Milan are starting to piece together a really nice squad and even though they might take their foot off of the gas for this one in favour of prioritising Serie A, they should still have more than enough in the tank to see off the challenge of the Scottish champions.

Prediction: AC Milan win

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: 888sport