Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava predictions: Barseghyan to breach solid home defence

James Milton

Spotlight

Brendan Rodgers will hope to see Celtic be rock-solid in defence against Slovan Bratislava.

- Celtic have won all five of this season's Premiership matches to nil
- Slovan Bratislava's Tigran Barseghyan has scored six goals in five league starts this season
- Recommended bet: Tigran Barseghyan to score anytime

Celtic have made a commanding start to the Scottish Premiership season, winning their first five matches to nil.

That run includes a 3-0 home victory over Old Firm rivals Rangers and the Hoops are hot favourites to win their Champions League opener against Slovan Bratislava.

The Slovakian champions had to come through four qualifying rounds to reach the Champions League proper for the first time and they will be hoping for a memorable debut at Celtic Park.

Team news

Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston overcame a knock to start against Hearts on Saturday and the hosts have no fresh injury concerns.

Slovan head coach Vladimir Weiss has missed the last two games due to a virus and may not travel to Glasgow, while wing-back Lukas Pauschek is injured.

The latest Celtic vs Slovan Bratislava odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Three of Celtic's last six Champions League defeats were by a 2-0 scoreline.

The Hoops have won all five of this season's Premiership matches to nil and are on a run of 11 straight victories in the Scottish top-flight.

Slovan Bratislava drew their last three away games during Champions League qualifying.

Both teams have scored in eight of Slovan's last 11 Champions League matches.

Midfielder Tigran Barseghyan has scored six goals in five league starts for Slovan this season.

Tigran Barseghyan has been in fine goalscoring form for Slovan Bratislava this season.

Prediction

Celtic's defenders have not put a foot wrong in their first five league matches this season and Brendan Rodgers' men are expected to bank three precious Champions League points on Wednesday night.

The Hoops produced some decent displays at home in Europe last term, beating Feyenoord 2-1, drawing 2-2 with Atletico Madrid and conceding a 95th-minute goal to lose 2-1 to Lazio.

They were hammered 6-0 in the away game against Atleti, but should find things easier against Slovan, who started their campaign in the first qualifying round.

Celtic will be confident of victory, having won their last 11 league matches on their own patch, but another clean sheet may elude the hosts.

At the prices, Slovan midfielder Tigran Barseghyan is an appealing bet to score at any time.

The experienced winger, who has scored nine international goals for Armenia, has made a blistering start to the league season, finding the net six times in five starts.

Barseghyan, Slovan's first-choice penalty-taker, also notched twice in Champions League qualifying and looks the biggest threat to Celtic's proud defensive record.

Back Tigran Barseghyan to score anytime, available at 23/4 with LiveScore Bet