Now, the reason I say this is surprising is I just don’t see this being a high-scoring game.
I get that both teams play an attractive style of football but both teams also have very good defenders, but I genuinely think that this game will be decided by the odd goal.
Look at the facts. Celtic have an incredible goal difference in the Scottish league. 25 goals scored, 1 conceded [SPFL] cannot be sniffed at but some critics will say that it’s just the Scottish league etc, etc. I know, it’s a tired old argument not worth getting into.
Real Madrid on the other hand have scored 11 goals and conceded 4 in their first opening fixtures [Sky Sports]. Again, you could argue that this is in La Liga and facing teams like Real Betis, Espanyol, Celta Vigo and Almeria is more challenging than Aberdeen, Hearts and Ross County.
But European football is a different animal. Generally, it’s more cagey as the teams look to suss each other out and that’s why I think Chris Sutton’s scoreline prediction of 2-2 is surprising.
In his column in the Daily Mail, Sutton said, “I don’t expect Ange Postecoglou to go changing the way Celtic play because the European champions are in town.
“He will take the risk in the hope of getting the reward and why not?
“Celtic will out-run Real Madrid, I have no doubt about that, so let’s see what happens under the lights at one of the world’s most boisterous grounds.
“It may sound ridiculous to you, but if everything clicks, there’s no reason why Celtic can’t hurt Real.”
Earlier this morning I wrote that I would take a draw tonight, but can I see a 2-2 scoreline? I’m not so sure.