Liverpool vs Celta Vigo Betting Tips

As things stand all five British clubs in the Champions League look set, barring accidents, to qualify from their groups and reach the knockout stages. Also, the quartet of British challengers in the Uefa Cup are going great guns - Blackburn, Newcastle, Rangers and Tottenham all head their respective groups. Again, barring accidents, Britain should be rich in representation for the Round of 32 when the final group matches are played on December 14. Glen Roeder's Newcastle will be bidding to consolidate their position as leaders of Group H when entertaining Celta Vigo at St James' Park on Thursday. But they will need to achieve this feat amidst a defensive crisis as Craig Moore has joined Steven Carr and Celestine Babayaro on the easy list after picking up a hamstring injury in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal. Damien Duff could also miss Thursday's tie after incurring a knee injury in that same match. That unlikely but well-earned point against the Gunners will have given the Magpies' a boost ahead of this match, however, and the Toon Army are a best-priced 5/4 to march to victory. It is worth remembering though, that, despite being a shade inconsistent, Celta Vigo are a dangerous side. Indeed, in their last two away games in La Liga, they've beaten Real Madrid and Deportivo La Coruna respectively. Celta have also been badly hit by injuries - Daniel De Ridder, George Lucas, Gustavo Lopez, Matias Lequi, Antonio Guayre, Pablo Garcia and Antonio Nunez were all undergoing treatment last week, leaving coach Fernando Vazquez with a depleted side against Deportivo in the Galician derby on Sunday. But, to their credit, they emerged victorious and, with the lion's share of those seven players likely to be available for selection for the trip Tyneside, the Spaniards are bound to fancy their chances. With Titus Bramble, Peter Ramage and Steven Taylor as their only fit defenders, I have to admit I am concerned about how Newcastle will cope with the attacking threat posed by Celta players such as Fernando Baiano, Nena and Perera, as their defensive line looks shaky enough when they have a full squad to choose from. Added responsibility will, therefore, be on Nicky Butt and skipper Scott Parker to get back and shore things up in defence as much as possible. However, despite the fact that Celta's last visit to England was not a pleasant one - they were readily beaten 2-0 by Arsenal in a Champions League game in 2004 - I reckon that they will get something out of this game. And perhaps win it. Celta badly need a victory in this game because, if Palermo beat Fenerbache in Turkey, their position in the group will be a precarious one. As such, their will be no benefit to them by trying to grab a point from this away fixture - they need to approach it positively. The best bet to my mind is the 8/1 Ladbrokes are offering about the impressive Fernando Baiano in the first goalscorer market. Given an inch, he'll take a mile, and with the home side's shortage of defenders - particularly any with pace - the Brazilian looks the most likely to capitalise. Verdict - 1pt Fernando Baiano in the first goalscorer market @ 8/1 (Ladbrokes) #1 Betfair Bonus £25 Free Bet.#2 Ladbrokes £25 Free Bet.#3 Paddypower Bonus £20 Free Bet.