KR Reykjavik v Celtic: Deila to follow the Lennon recipe

Celtic have got through their previous five European qualifiers

Michael Lintorn expects Celtic's first Champions League qualifier this season to mirror those enjoyed under Neil Lennon...

KR Reykjavik v Celtic
Tuesday, 20:00
Live on BBC One Scotland*

* 951 on Sky and 862 on Virgin outside of Scotland

Match Odds: KR Reykjavik 10.09/1, Celtic 1.392/5, The Draw 5.39/2

After botching their 2009/10 and 2010/11 qualifying bids, Celtic were reinvented as preliminary-round experts by Neil Lennon in the last two seasons, wiping out HJK Helsinki and Helsingborgs in 2012/13 then outwitting Cliftonville, Elfsborg and Shakhter Karagandy (just about) in 2013/14.

New boss Ronny Deila isn't quite as enthralled by the prospect of having to fight through three rounds to gain access to the group stage, labelling the fact that the Bhoys have to graft so hard to earn their spot despite strong recent performances "stupid".

Lennon isn't the only hero of those past successes not making the trip to Iceland. Georgios Samaras left the club before the World Cup, captain Scott Brown is injured and James Forrest is also unavailable, but the Scottish champions are judged 1.392/5 favourites regardless.

KR Reykjavik failed to win in their previous three Champions League entries (2003/04, 2004/05 and 2012/13) and their coach Runar Kristinsson doesn't expect that to change: "We are all amateurs and they are fully professional so there's a lot of difference; I don't think we have a lot of chance."

They have lost as many matches at the halfway point of the current Urvalsdeild campaign (four in 11) as they did throughout their triumphant 2013 effort, including their latest outing away to Thor, which leaves them six points off the top of the table in third.

Celtic Clean Sheet

Defence is an area where Celtic haven't been weakened either by departures or injuries. Indeed, they have strengthened by recruiting Craig Gordon as competition to Fraser Forster, and they were already pretty formidable in that department.

The Hoops have kept eight clean sheets in their last nine Champions League qualifiers and four in their last five away preliminary ties, whereas KR Reykjavik have fired blanks in four of their last seven fixtures in the competition.

Under 2.5 goals

Celtic have only scored more than two goals in three of their last 26 European encounters, causing seven of their last nine qualifiers to sail south of the famous 2.5-goal mark. Eight of KR Reykjavik's last 12 games have brought joy to unders backers.

Best Bet: Back Celtic to keep a clean sheet @ 2.1211/10
Other Recommended Bet: Back under 2.5 goals @ 2.3411/8