Celtic Preview

Hello Hello

Celtic today in our second leg of our so far successful Champions' League qualifier. We go home with a 2 nil advantage but still have to put in a performance to avoid something of a disastrous embarrassment. I think we shouldn't have a terribly difficult time today and while I'm hoping for an end to end flowing game with beautiful football and outrageous drama, I'm not expecting a blistering type of match. I think Celtic will be coming at us from the get go but we should weather the storm, which I expect is all we'll do, as opposed to attack them back and allow an open game. We'll hold tight for the first 20 minutes or so and then slow the game down with calm possession. We may sneak one before half time, which will effectively end the tie, but I don't fully expect us to score until the second period.

With Cesc out injured we'll probably see Diaby come into midfield, although Aaron Ramsey may come in instead. I think the back four will go back to normal and we'll see some rotation up front, maybe RvP will be benched with United in mind with Eduardo coming in, although I have a suspicion that Arshavin will be the one rested.

I predict we'll win 2-0 with Eduardo and Bendtner scoring. There's some other stuff going on but I don't feel like thinking of anything but this afternoons game. Speaking of which, I don't think that anyone would argue against the fact that this is an important and we need to make sure we get a favorable result, but I'd really like to get through this one without any injuries. They've already built up with Djourou and Fabianski being the most possibly immediately hampering, while Nasri and Rosicky being sidelined mean that we don't have a lot of experienced cover for Cesc. Walcott and Vela deplete our front line somewhat but we still have 4 in there plus Wilshere. An injury at the back or to Almunia will really fuck us and so I hope the game is played in the Celtic half for 90 minutes.

Anyway, kick off is at 2:45 eastern time and the game is FSC, I'll be at the pub,

Until tomorrow,

Highbury86