Celtic v Spartak Moscow: Bhoys to set to progress

Celtic are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time since 2008 – and they look set to do just that.

The Bhoys need to get at least a draw against Spartak Moscow and hope that group winners Barcelona are able to beat Benfica who currently occupy second place in the group.

The Catalan giants are currently 1/2 favourites to fulfil their part of the bargain and win, although Celtic just need to get a better result than Benfica, so a win would see them through as long as Barca avoid defeat.

Celtic are the 4/7 favourites to get three points but, based on their recent home form that looks a little beyond the Bhoys.

Despite seeing off Barcelona and avoiding defeat in their previous five Champions League home games, they are without a win in their last three Scottish Premier League matches at Parkhead, losing two of them against Kilmarnock and Inverness.

That poor run of form should be enough to instil a bit of doubt in the Scottish side who have never picked up 10 points (the total they will get if they win) in their seven appearances in the Champions League group stages.

However, Spartak have shipped 12 goals in their previous four games and, with the Russian side sure to finish bottom, they have absolutely nothing to lose, making another high-scoring encounter a possibility.

Backing Celtic to get the draw they (hopefully) need to progress at 3/1 looks tempting while a side bet on over 2.5 goals at 2/1 could also yield a decent profit.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date