Prediction: FK Jablonec vs Celtic

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

The UEFA Europa League may not get the kind of appreciation or recognition it necessarily deserves, but that doesn’t mean the competition stops. Instead, we continue on with the qualifying phase as fans across the continent hope and pray to see their team reach the group stage, and potentially even beyond, of the underrated gem that is the Europa League. We’ll be taking a look today at what should be a more even encounter than most would expect when FK Jablonec meet Celtic.

FK Jablonec

Jablonec are so often regarded as the bridesmaid and never the bride which, based on the state of the Czech First League, makes a lot of sense. They’re capable of putting in big performances as and when is required of them and yet their attacking prowess has yet to shine through, even though they tend to keep it quite tight at the back. They’re the underdogs coming into this one but with a lively crowd behind them they should be able to make some noise in this tie.

Celtic

Celtic have already had a pretty poor start to the season across both European competition and domestic football and while the instinct is to blame the manager, it just feels like the entire foundation of the club is struggling a bit. They need to start adapting to their surroundings because if they don’t, they could be without European football whilst Rangers run away with the Scottish title once again. In fact, we’d say that’s by far the most likely outcome right now.

Conclusion

We honestly don’t think Celtic, as a club, are in a position to beat anyone right now – no matter how much they may be favoured to do so. There’s a fear within their side that Jablonec could so easily exploit and even though it’s going to be a tough, gritty game, we still expect both teams to get on the scoresheet. It’s going to end 1-1 which will only serve to magnify the issues that the Scottish giants are having, and hopefully, it should motivate them enough to make wholesale changes.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 12/5

Bookmaker: 888sport