Anderlecht vs Celtic. UEFA Champions League Group B.
Constant Vanden Stock StadiumAttendance19,898.
Wednesday 27 September 2017 18:33, UK
Brendan Rodgers is looking for Celtic to "bring their own game" to Wednesday's Champions League clash against Anderlecht.
The Celtic boss drew similarities between the 5-0 thumping at home to Paris St Germain on match day one, the club's heaviest home defeat in Europe, and last season's 7-0 reversal against Barcelona in the opening game.
Rodgers is confident that his side will perform better against the Belgian champions in Brussels than they did against the French side, and he acknowledges that the two matches with Anderlecht could decide third place in Group B.
"The idea is to bring in our own game to these games. We did that in the competition last year after the first group match," said Rodgers, in his pre-match press conference.
"All games at this level are very tough and we have experienced that over the past few seasons. We are looking to impose our style in the game but we respect the opponents.
"We want to qualify for the Champions League, come in and do well in it. That, of course, is our objective. There's never an easy game."
Moussa Dembele is available for Celtic again after a long injury lay-off and made his return from the bench against Rangers at the weekend, but Leigh Griffiths is still expected to start.
Anthony Ralston is slight doubt with a knee-problem but Rodgers says he can use him if he needs to, while Dedryck Boyata is expected to make his Champions League debut, partnering Jozo Simunovic in defence on his return to his home country.
For Anderlecht, winger Andy Najar is out of the game with a torn hamstring and influential defender Kara Mbodj is also expected to miss out with a knee injury.
Anderlecht and Celtic's only previous encounter was in the 2003/04 Champions League group stages. Both games produced home wins.
Anderlecht have won only three of their last 38 Champions League games (D10 L25). They've also only kept four clean sheets in those 38 games.
Seven of Anderlecht's last eight Champions League goals have been scored after half-time.
Celtic have won only one of their last 15 Champions League games (D3 L11), it came in October 2013 against Ajax. They have failed to score in 10 of those 15 games.
In fact, away from home in the Champions League, Celtic have lost 26 of their 30 games (W1 D3) and have never kept a clean sheet. Their only win came against Spartak Moscow in October 2012 (3-2).
Celtic have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 20 Champions League games, conceding 48 goals along the way.
It's a gigantic game and Celtic's away record is a real concern. They do have pace in their side to play on the break but the defence becomes exposed because it's an unusual situation not having the majority of the ball.
It always feels like 'here we go with Celtic', as soon as they go away in Europe. They don't know how to adapt because they're used to 70 per cent possession and then they won't have nearly as much in Belgium.
It is obviously a battle for third place as I don't see them getting anything from the other games and if they can find a structure to suit then I think they can get a draw. Anderlecht sacked their manager and had to come from behind at the weekend, but they are a dangerous side at home.
I can see it being a feisty affair with both sides desperate for a result and, without evidence of Brendan Rodgers adapting his side, I have to go for Anderlecht to snatch this.
Charlie predicts: 2-1 and Robert Beric to score first (25/1 with Sky Bet)
Celtic are Sky Bet's 12/5 outsiders for the victory with Anderlecht 11/10 for the win, while the draw is priced at 5/2. Both sides have the odds stacked against them to qualify from Group B, with Celtic 12/1 to progress and 10/11 to secure third spot. Lukasz Teodorczyk heads the first goalscorer betting at 7/2 while Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele are 9/2 and 5/1 respectively to net first.
