Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava Prediction: Back Maeda to score first @ 5/1

TNT Sports 2 will be the TV channel for those wanting to watch the Scottish Champions as they embark on their Champions League odyssey on Wednesday evening, with kick-off time set for 20:00.

Our Scottish Football correspondent Frank Monkhouse expects a strong start for the Bhoys as he takes us through his Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava Predictions...

Celtic enjoy home advantage on Wednesday evening against Slovak First Football League champions Slovan Bratislava in an intriguing Champions League opener. Brendan Rodgers’ side kick-off following a perfect start to the domestic season, and they hope to carry their form onto the big stage.

The two clubs have met only twice before in competitive action, and the locals enter with a 100% record following back-to-back 1-0 wins in 1964 in the European Cup Winners Cup. Much has changed at both clubs since, but the home fans would accept another narrow victory and will create a special atmosphere inside the stadium. Will it be enough to drive their team over the line?

Read our big-match preview and place your bets on the Betfred website and app now.

Celtic vs Bratislava Odds

Celtic don’t start too many games in this competition as betting favourites, but Betfred traders expect a home win and offer the Hoops at odds of 4/11 to bank all three points. The Scottish champions will face off against the cream of the crop in this competition, but they understand Wednesday’s game is one of their better chances of getting points on the board. The home win is sure to be popular in midweek bets, including accumulators.

Slovan Bratislava jet into Glasgow as the underdogs and know they must be at their best to match the hosts. Bossed by the experienced Vladimir Weiss, the Kings of Bratislava will be well-coached, organised, and prepared to work hard across the pitch. Will they get anything from the game? You can back the visitors at 15/2 or try your luck on the draw at 4/1.

*You can check out all of the Football Odds we offer over at betfred.com

Celtic win @ 4/11

Backing Celtic to win in this competition hasn’t been a smart approach in recent years, but the new format appears to bolster their chances of giving fans something to cheer about. Celtic Park will be packed to the rafters, and the team enters with confidence after winning each of their first six games in all competitions, including an impressive 3-0 victory over Rangers at this venue earlier this month.

Rodgers’ side returned from the international break with a useful 2-0 home win over Hearts on Saturday, achieved thanks to goals from summer signings Arne Engels and Luke McCowan.

The scoreline and match stats suggested a comfortable Celtic win, but the victors survived an early penalty scare and needed a spot-kick from Engels on 52 minutes to break down a dogged Jambos. Five games played, 15 points on the board, 14 goals scored and none conceded makes the locals easy to support at decent odds.