@BurrOaks77's Champions League: Real Madrid vs Celtic FC - 9/6

It’s the greatest time of year again. Time to see the best of the best in European football square off in The Champions League. Today Celtic are hosting reigning champions Real Madrid. I want to be completely up front here, and let everyone know from the jump, I am a Madrista. With that said, Celtic is a quality squad and it is very difficult to go on the road in Scotland to get a win. But the absolute DISRESPECT sports books are showing Madrid is palpable. Madrid is only a -140 favorite currently, and it is absolutely blowing my mind.

This Real Madrid squad has seen a few major changes since last year, most notably the transfer of club legend Casimiro to Man U. Madrid added Tchouameni in the off season and he has looked solid in league play. Eduardo Camavinga is stepping up to log more minutes and will be playing a much bigger role this year. I believe the 19 year old Camavinga has all the skills necessary to be an impactful player on soccer’s biggest stage. Combined with Don Carlo’s coaching ability and the senior leadership on this team, I don’t see how anyone couldn’t think this team is ready to win another title.

Up top Madrid has the single best player in world football right now, big Karim Mostafa Benzema. If you aren't familiar with Benzema’s work, I strongly encourage you to pull up some YouTube clips of what he did in last year’s UCL competition. Last year, Benzema scored 15 goals in 12 UCL matches. He only failed to score in three of those 12 matches. Meaning he had four multi-goal matches in soccer’s toughest competition. Benzema is a walking bucket and he always shows up for his team when things matter most. Next to him is Vinni Jr., who honestly might be the fastest man alive. Vinni had a breakout year last year, and has shown no signs of slowing down. The 22 year old Brazilian national had a jaw dropping 20 goal and 20 assist season across all competitions last year. Vinni is a major problem, and I’d be shocked not to find his name on the score sheet today.

It is important to note that Celtic just smacked around another UCL team this weekend. Celtic just dominated the Rangers 4-0 at home in the Scottish Premier League. Israeli national Liel Abada scored a brace in that match and has six goals in league play for Celtic. Japanese national Kyogo Furuhashi also has six goals, and the duo definitely is capable of putting balls in the back of the net. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Celtic get on the scoreboard today. I just don’t think they have the ability to hang with Madrid for a full 90 minutes. Celtic will have to make the most of every opportunity to stay in this game.

Remember to wait for lineups.