Full of goals in the battle for third place?
With zero points from their first two group games, Celtic Glasgow and Ferencvaros Budapest currently occupy third and fourth place in Group G of the Europa League. Both teams are now fighting for a place in the Europa League. For more, they would need a small series.
In the run-up to the match between Celtic Glasgow and Ferencvaros Budapest, the odds are clearly in favour of the home side. Considering that the Scots lost a Champions League qualifying match against the Hungarians 2-1 at home on 26 August 2020, this assessment is quite remarkable.
At any rate, it is clear that it could be a goal-filled affair at Celtic Park. The Hoops have already scored three goals in their clashes with Leverkusen and Betis Sevilla, but have also conceded eight. The Hungarians have already conceded five goals with two of their own.
We see the greatest value for Celtic Glasgow against Ferencvaros Budapest in betting that the visitors will score (double chance X2), while goals will be scored on both sides again.
Celtic Glasgow – Statistics & current form
These are difficult times for the Scottish showpiece club, who were the first team in Europe to win the national championship, the cup and the European Cup of Champions in 1967.
After nine national championships in a row, the Hoops had to settle for second place again this summer, beaten by their hated and resurgent city rivals Glasgow Rangers. In the end, they fell 25 points short.
Winning two competitive matches in a row for the first time since August
The Celts are also currently only fourth in Scotland, four points behind the Gers with just five wins from nine league games. They have already lost three games, which makes it look as if their national dominance has been permanently broken.
At least, however, they did not burn two in a row last time out. The Bhoys went into the international break with a 2-1 away win at Aberdeen and also bounced back successfully last Saturday with another 2-0 win at Motherwell. This was the first time since August that the Celts had won two competitive games in a row.
Lost three of last four home games in Europa League group stage
Under new coach Ange Postecoglou, the Scots also missed out on Champions League qualification for the fourth successive season. However, with a 3-2 aggregate win in the first and second legs, the Hoops still held their own against AZ Alkmaar in the Europa League play-offs.
With two defeats and 3:8 goals, the start to the group stage was still very poor, which is why it is surprising that the odds on Celtic Glasgow against Ferencvaros Budapest are swinging in the direction of the Scots.
Predicted line-up of Celtic Glasgow:
Hart – Bolingoli – Starfelt – Carter-Vickers – Ralston – Turnbull – Rogic – McGregor – Jota – Abada – Furuhashi
Last matches played by Celtic Glasgow:
Ferencvaros Budapest – Statistics & current form
Ferencvaros Budapest now have a total of 32 national championships to their name, and the team that had been so deep in obscurity of late has now returned to being the benchmark in Hungary since the Sheffield United owner took over in February 2008.
Most recently, the Zöld Sasok (in German: die grünen Adler) celebrated three championships in a row and even took part in the Champions League for the first time in 25 years for the 2020/21 season.
Lost seven of their twelve away games in UEFA group stages
The Hungarians also failed to qualify for the top flight this year. Although they eliminated Slavia Prague, among others, in the Champions League qualifiers, they then lost 4:6 to BSC Young Boys after two close games.
This is the third time that Zöld Sasok have reached the group stage of the Europa League. Overall, however, their international record does not read too well, especially away from home. They have lost seven of their last twelve away games in UEFA preliminary rounds.
Scored in nine of the ten competitive international matches of the 2021/22 season
Also in the current group phase, nothing was to be gained in Leverkusen (1:2) and at home against Betis Sevilla (1:3) despite appealing performances. However, Peter Stöger’s men have scored in nine of their ten international matches of the 2021/22 season, which is why the betting on goals on both sides is favourable for Celtic Glasgow against Ferencvaros Budapest.
But: Ferencvaros Budapest’s dress rehearsal failed. They suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Zalaegerszeg on Saturday, which saw the Hungarians slip to second in the table and not come to Scotland with all the momentum.
Predicted line-up of Ferencvaros Budapest:
Dibusz – Civic – Botka – S. Mmaee – Blazic – Wingo – Vécsei – Laidouni – Uzuni – Zachariassen – R. Mmaee
Last matches played by Ferencvaros Budapest:
Celtic Glasgow – Ferencvaros Budapest Direct comparison / H2H balance
On 26 August 2020, the two teams faced each other in Glasgow in the Champions League Quali, which was played in a single knockout match due to the pandemic. The Hungarians celebrated a 2-1 away win and advanced to the third round. It was the only competitive match between the two teams so far.
Celtic Glasgow – Ferencvaros Budapest Tip
When it comes to Celtic Glasgow vs Ferencvaros Budapest, the prediction has to take into account that both teams are on zero points and have been decidedly vulnerable defensively. The Celts have already conceded eight goals. The Zöld Sasok have conceded five goals.
The value is high for both sides to score in this battle for third place in Group G, especially as neither team has anything to lose. Looking back at their only meeting so far, where Hungary won 2-1 in Glasgow, we also see a good chance for the double X2 to work out.
