Celtic vs AS Roma Prediction & Betting Tips (11 December)

Celtic approached this shock with 5 victories in all competitions before challenging the leader of the Scottish Championship, Hearts, whom they could overtake on Sunday if successful. The Hoops beat Hibernian 1-2 and Dundee 1-0 up front, while defeating Feyenoord 1-3 in the Netherlands two weeks ago on the final day of the Europa League. This success, its second of the season in C3, placed the Scottish giant back in 21st position with a one point margin over the first club virtually eliminated, that is to say the 25th in the ranking. Stronger than Rangers 0-2 and Midtjylland 2-1 on its last outings in C3, AS Rome is 15th in the league phase one point from 8th place, the first offering direct access to the round of 16.

La Louve has re-mobilized after a slump in October and is playing the leading roles in Serie A in 4th place. Although beaten by Napoli 0-1 at the end of November, it is one point behind the leader and could recover on Saturday at the poorly ranked Cagliari. 

The list of absentees is long on the Celtic side. While Inamura, Simpson-Pusey, Jota, Yamada and Osman are not qualified, long-term absentee defender Johnston remains out of action. The full-back Saracchi (potential holder), the defensive captain Carter-Vickers and the attacker Iheanacho (3 goals including 1 in C3), slowed down by injuries, could also give up. The coach will, however, be able to rely on the influential Hatate and Nygren (2 goals each in C3) who contributed to the success against Feyenoord. Maeda has since scored twice in the Championship, although he has yet to unlock his tally in the Europa League.

 Roma deplores the absence of its striker Dovbyk (2 goals in Serie A), more used in the Europa League than in the Championship, and of its Spanish full-back Angeliño who has been out for just over two months. The squad is otherwise complete with the French players Ndicka and Manu Koné in the status of starters, Cristante in the midfield and the offensive assets Soulé, Dybala and El Shaarawy. The last three each scored a goal in the league phase, including in the last match for El Shaarawy. No Roman has more than one achievement in the Europa League.