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UEFA Champions League – Barcelona vs Celtic Picks

Randy McInnis

by Randy McInnis in News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:40 AM PST

Barcelona will try to keep their great form as they host Celtic, this Tuesday at 14:45 PM ET at Camp Nou for the UEFA Champions League.

The Spanish beat Deportivo La Coruña 5-4 on Saturday in a crazy game, and many people are wondering what is happening with the Barcelona’s defensive scheme.

Tito Villanova’s team hasn’t had a healthy central defender all year, and they mentioned they don’t want to rush the comeback of Gerard Pique.

“He’s not 100% fit,” Vilanova said. “If we didn’t risk him against Real Madrid, then we’ll be equally cautious against Deportivo, Celtic or Rayo Vallecano. He won’t play until he’s right”.

Celtic beat St Mirren 5-0 during the weekend, but they know they are about to face the best team in the world, and they need to have a lot of order in all phases of the game.

“Barca don’t play with a centre-forward as such. The front players tend to suck you out and then they hit you with a bit of pace in the final third of the pitch”, said Neil Lennon, manager of the Celtic.

“The third goal, Messi’s first, was a thing of beauty. And his hat-trick goal? Well, you run out of superlatives to describe him.

“It gets you thinking, ‘how do you stop that? How do you defend against that?’. Going forward, they’re a dream.

“Pedro came on a sub and makes lung-bursting 50 yard runs off the ball with pace. An extraordinary team”.

Barcelona is favorite by 2.5 goals for the game against the Celtic.

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