On Thursday night, Scottish champions Celtic host Spanish outfit Valencia at Parkhead in the last 32 of the Europa League. Both teams will be hopeful of taking an advantage into the second leg of the tie in Spain.
Celtic are once again dominating their domestic league. However, their recent form in the Europa League has been inconsistent. The Hoops won three and lost three games in a group stage containing Salzburg, RB Leipzig and Rosenborg.
The home side’s home record at Parkhead in the Europa League is a good one, as the Hoops have recorded victories in four of their last five matches on home soil in the competition. A 2-1 defeat against Salzburg in their last European home match ended a four-game winning run on home soil.
Celtic’s recent home games in the Europa League have been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in nine of their last 11 outings at Parkhead in Europe’s secondary competition.
Valencia’s form has improved of late, as they are now unbeaten in five games in all competitions. Los Ches have drawn their last three competitive matches, though.
The Spanish side dropped out of the Champions League after finishing third in a group containing Manchester United, Juventus and Young Boys.
Valencia’s recent record in the Europa League is good, as the visitors have won four of their last five games in the competition. Los Ches have also been prolific in their recent Europa League games, scoring at least two goals in four of their last five outings.
However, despite their recent good general record in the Europa League, Valencia have lost three of their last four games in the competition, failing to score in all three away defeats.
Forebet predicts that Los Ches will record a victory in a high-scoring game to take into the second leg of the tie.