Champions League qualifiers: Tuesday tips including Nomme Kalju v Celtic

From 6pm Tuesday

Champions League progress looks a formality for Celtic, who have a 5-0 advantage going into the second leg of their qualifying tie at Estonian champions Nomme Kalju.

Despite being in such a strong position, Celtic manager Neil Lennon has assembled a strong squad for the Baltic excursion and his charges can register another victory and a clean sheet.

The Estonians were on the back foot for almost the entire game in Glasgow, losing the shot count 26 to three.

None of their shots were on target and there is every chance of another quiet night for Celtic goalkeeper Scott Bain.

Lennon suggests he will make some changes with central defender Christopher Jullien, attacking midfielder Lewis Morgan and winger Scott Sinclair set to come into the starting line up.

But Celtic should still have far more quality than their opponents and can extend their aggregate lead.

Celtic will already have half an eye on the third qualifying round, where they will face either Maccabi Tel Aviv or Cluj.

First blood went to Romanian champions Cluj, who won 1-0 in front of their home supporters, but Maccabi gave a good account of themselves and could turn the tie around in Israel.

Maccabi have a strong home record and won all four of their home European matches last season.

Failing to score an away goal puts pressure on them, but they can respond with a second-leg success.

Maltese champions Valletta have their backs against the wall after losing 3-1 to Hungarian side Ferencvaros last Tuesday but they can salvage some pride by avoiding defeat on home soil.

Valletta still have slim hopes of progressing thanks to Brazilian midfielder Yuri, who reduced the deficit to two with an 85th-minute goal in Budapest.

It was a fair outcome on the balance of play because Valletta had offered a threat and produced eight shots, four of them on target.

They should be at least as competitive on home soil and are worth backing at odds-against to avoid defeat.

Recommendations
Celtic win to nil
1pt 21-20 bet365, BoyleSports
Maccabi Tel Aviv
2pts 21-20 Betway, Hills
Valletta or draw double chance
1pt 11-8 bet365

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