How many points Celtic need to qualify for Champions League knockout rounds as progression mapped out after dream start
How many points Celtic need to qualify for Champions League knockout rounds as progression mapped out after dream start
Brendan Rodgers‘ men got off to the perfect start on matchday one of the league phase
Beaming Brendan Rodgers opened his post match press conference by joking Celtic are already in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich.
But the Parkhead boss and punters would probably just be happy with a place in the play off round to extend their journey in Uefa’s premier competition beyond the league phase – and the stats men have told the Hoops the points tally they are likely to need to progress.
Celtic opened their campaign with an emphatic 5-1 rout of Slovan Bratislava – and the Scottish Premiership champions now have high hopes of securing a top 24 spot and a play-off place as a minimum from the revamped competition.
It will be a tougher test next time out as they travel to Bundesliga heavyweights Borussia Dortmund after smashing the Slovakian champions – but over all they landed one of the kinder draws for the league phase. Atalanta, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, Dinamo Zagreb, Young Boys and Aston Villa have all drawn been to face the Hoops – and Opta have now predicted the points total Celtic will need to all-but guarantee their shot at the knockout rounds.
A 10-point tally is the magic number for Callum McGregor and Co which gives sides a 99 per cent chance of reaching the top 24. A nine-point haul is also predicted to give sides a good shot at qualification – with a 69 per cent chance of progressing.
After a scintillating start, some hopeful fans may also be looking further up the table at a top eight finish which would take them straight into the last 16 next March. A 15-point tally gives clubs a 73 per cent chance of that while 16 points would ensure an 98 per cent chance.
As it stands, Celtic are sitting in second spot – and Rodgers joked that the tournament should be brought to an early halt while they play leaders Bayern Munich. He said: “Yeah the competition stops now, we play Bayern Munich in the final! But it was a great night for everyone, I thought you just sensed it before the game.”
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