Celtic are playing for pride when they go to the the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on Wednesday night as they look to salvage something from the wreckage of their Champions League campaign.
The Bhoys sit bottom of Group F without a win from five matches and just two points to their name, meaning even a win in Madrid wouldn't be enough to overhaul Shakhtar for that Europa League spot.
It is no surprise then, that Celtic are as big as 12/1 with Betfred to cause in upset at the home of the the mighty Madrid, who are 14-time winners of Europe's most prestigious club competition. The hosts are just 2/9 to get the win that would cement top spot in the section.
Madrid's defeat at RB Leipzig last week means they can't afford to take this fixture lightly but the Spanish giants are not exactly sizzling at the moment having also dropped La Liga points against Girona on Sunday, where they badly missed striker Karim Benzema.
Madrid eventually cruised to a 3-0 win in the reverse fixture between these sides on matchday one but Celtic gave them a few scares in the first half of that clash and the opening 45 minute performance should give Ange Postecoglou's players hope that they can at the very least cause the hosts some problems in this game.
Chance conversion has been a real problem for Celtic in this group, especially in the two games with Shakhtar Donetsk. They also haven't been able to keep a clean sheet and that unwanted record is mosty unlikely to improve in Madrid.
Celtic have recovered well in the league since their shock defeat at St Mirren in September. They have won all five SPL matches since and a 3-0 win at Livingston on Sunday means they should take some confidence into this fixture.
Prediction for Real Madrid vs Celtic
Neither of these sides defend particularly welll, indeed Madrid haven't kept a clean cheet in any of their last five home games, so goals look on the cards even if Benzema doesn't return for Madrid.
Both teams to score is a solid play but we can combine it with a Madrid win to make ourselves a nice 11/8 wager and that looks the best way into this. Celtic will get chances but Madrid's class should tell in the end.
Prediction for Real Madrid vs Celtic: Real Madrid to win and both teams to score (yes) - 11/8
Real Madrid vs Celtic odds with Betfred
- Real Madrid - 2/9
- Draw - 6/1
- Celtic - 12/1
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