Celtic to start Europa League with win

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Celtic and Rosenborg will meet for the third time in European football this term on Thursday night. The two clubs met in the Champions League second qualifying round in July and August.

Celtic prevailed in Champions League qualifying with a 3-1 aggregate win, forcing Rosenborg into the Europa League. Brendan Rogers’ team were eliminated in the third qualifying round of the Champions League. Now, Celtic start their Europa League group campaign against a familiar face.

The clubs were drawn in Group B of the Europa League alongside RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg. It will be a difficult group for either Celtic or Rosenborg to get through due to the talent possessed by the other clubs. Salzburg made it to the Europa League semifinals last term while RB Leipzig made it to the quarterfinals.

Rodgers’ Celtic haven’t started the season in typical Hoops’ fashion. Celtic have dropped points early on in the Scottish Premiership having gained just 10 from a possible 15. They currently sit five points behind league leaders Hearts. Celtic aren’t conceding goals in the league, but the side is having difficulty scoring them. Celtic have scored just five goals in domestic play. The Hoops’ long Champions League and Europa League qualifying campaigns seem to have taken their toll on the reigning Scottish champions.

Rosenborg are farther along in their season than Celtic. The Norwegian league leaders have played 22 fixtures and currently sit two points ahead of second place Brann. Rosenborg lead the Eliteserien in goals scored with 40. Forwards Alexander Soderlund and former Arsenal player Nicklas Bendtner have combined to score 11 goals for Rosenborg this term.

In their previous meetings, Celtic came out 3-1 winners in the first leg before the two clubs played out a nil-nil draw. Unlike the previous meeting in the Champions League qualifying round, their Europa League group stage match should be less cagey.

Celtic have played Rosenborg eight times in their history. The Scottish club is undefeated at Celtic Park with three wins and one draw. The two clubs met last season in the Champions League third qualifying round as well. Celtic won away from home before drawing nil-nil with Rosenborg back in Glasgow.

Rosenborg’s recent history doesn’t bode well for them. Celtic Park hasn’t been kind to the club and Thursday night will see another loss. Celtic will get their Europa League campaign off the ground with a win. Despite struggling for goals in the Premiership, Celtic will score and play great in defence against Rosenborg.