Celtic vs Athletic Bilbao Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Celtic vs Athletic Bilbao predictions for this friendly pre-season that will be played on Tuesday night. Celtic are completing their preparation with a clash against La Liga side. Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.

Key Stats

As we head into the final days of the pre-season for the 2023-24 campaign, Scottish powerhouse Celtic are preparing to square off against La Liga veterans, Athletic Bilbao, in Glasgow. This confrontation represents the final rehearsal for both teams before they plunge into their respective leagues; Celtic looking forward to their Scottish Premiership opener against Ross County on August 5, while Athletic anticipate a thrilling start to their La Liga season against Real Madrid on August 12.

Celtic, under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers, have had a bustling summer, engaging in a total of six friendly encounters, including a 1-1 stalemate with Premier League’s Wolverhampton Wanderers. This set of friendlies offered a glimpse into Celtic’s preparations, allowing them to fine-tune their squad before their impending Scottish Premiership campaign.

The Scottish side had an active transfer window, welcoming Maik Nawrocki, Odin Thiago Holm, and Yang Hyun-jun, among others, while waving goodbye to Jota, who transferred to Al Ittihad for a substantial fee. The shake-up comes after Celtic’s triumphant run in the Scottish Premiership last season, ending with a clear seven-point lead over runners-up Rangers, and securing a berth in the group stage of this season’s Champions League.

On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao are set to complete their pre-season agenda with this game, followed by fixtures against Eibar and Manchester United. Athletic’s summer has been comparably quieter on the transfer front, with their main signing being Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta from Mallorca, alongside Javier Marton from Real Sociedad. Nevertheless, the Spanish outfit has managed to retain their key players like Inaki Williams and Nico Williams, aiming for a European finish in the upcoming season after finishing eighth in La Liga last year.

Heading into this friendly, both teams are expected to field strong line-ups as a final test before their respective league campaigns. Rodgers’ selection for Celtic is expected to feature a formidable forward line of Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda, and Kyogo Furuhashi, with Matt O’Riley joining forces with Callum McGregor in the heart of the midfield.

For Athletic, Ernesto Valverde’s chosen XI is likely to see Nico Williams, Ander Herrera, and Inaki Williams taking up critical roles, while Iker Muniain features in a more withdrawn role. There are question marks over Yeray Alvarez’s availability, with Raul Garcia expected to make an appearance from the bench, and Gorka Guruzeta leading the line.

With all the data at hand, three predictions can be made for this enticing encounter.

1. Match Outcome: Draw Although Celtic’s preparations are more advanced, Athletic Bilbao’s strength cannot be underestimated. Considering their performance data from the past season and their current pre-season form, it’s highly likely this match could end in a draw, a prediction that would likely provide very interesting odds.
2. Correct Score Prediction: 1-1 Given Celtic’s impressive scoring record last season and Athletic’s solid defensive setup, a 1-1 draw seems like a plausible outcome. Celtic averaged three goals per game last season while Athletic conceded less than a goal per game on average, showcasing the defensive prowess of the Spanish side.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Kyogo Furuhashi From Celtic’s ranks, Kyogo Furuhashi stands out as a player likely to score. Last season, Furuhashi contributed 27 goals, indicating his pivotal role in Celtic’s attacking play.

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