Europa League previews: Spurs and Celtic face easy trips

Coral writers preview two British teams’ away trips in the Europa League, Premier League side Tottenham and Scottish champions Celtic.

The duo have faced three out of their six group games so far and are in good positions to qualify. Spurs travel next to Greece to take on Asteras Tripolis, while the Hoops go to Romania for a battle with Astra Giurgiu.

Asteras Tripolis v Tottenham
Just one point separates these two sides in Group C, despite Spurs thrashing the Greek club 5-1 last time out in the Europa League. The Premier League outfit are odds-on at 4/5 for victory again and 80/1 chances to achieve that scoreline once more.

Rising star Harry Kane was the hat-trick hero that day, and comes into this game on the back of hitting a dramatic late winner against Aston Villa in the league. The England Under-21 striker, who has six goals in five Europa League qualification and group matches this term so far, is 5/4 in the anytime scorer market and 25/1 for another treble.

Besides that demolition at White Hart Lane by Tottenham, Asteras have been in a good run of form, winning seven of their other last 10 games in all competitions, losing none. They are also unbeaten at home all term and are, therefore, a tempting 7/2 for victory and 5/2 to claim a draw.

They will have confidence in the fact that Spurs stopper Hugo Lloris will miss the game as he was sent off against Asteras last time out, forcing Kane to go in goal. The Greek club have a strong Argentine contingent in their squad, and Pablo Mazza stands out, having netted three times in this competition so far. He is 10/3 in the anytime market.

Astra Giurgiu v Celtic
After having a nervy start to the season, Scottish champions Celtic are now in flying form, having won each of their last five games in all competitions, including a home 2-1 defeat of Astra. Four of those victories were to nil, and they are 8/5 chances to beat the Romanians and 15/4 to do so without conceding.

Ronny Deila’s men currently sit top of Group D on seven points, while Astra have lost all three of their games. The Romanian outfit have won just one of their last eight games in all competitions, which is why their odds for victory here are so long at 8/5 for a home side.