Why Celtic are 'outside bet' for Champions League top eight finish as one key factor comes into play

Celtic have been labelled as an 'outside bet' to finish in the Champions League top eight.

Brendan Rodgers' men are part of the newly revamped 36 team league phase with the teams finishing from 1 to 8 booking direct entry to the last 16 stage. Those from nine to 24 will compete in a two-legged knockout tie to determine who will join the already qualified teams while those finishing 25 and below exit Europe all together in a brand new shake-up.

The Hoops will come up against Slovan Bratislava, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge and Young Boys at home while they face trips to Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, Dinamo Zagreb and Aston Villa. Former Leeds and England goalkeeper Paul Robinson reckons the way the home fixtures have fallen for the Scottish champions gives them a real chance of progression. He - like many current and ex-props before him - has talked up the atmosphere on these big nights at Parkhead and reckons maximum points on home turf and a couple on the road could make things interesting for Rodgers and Co.

He told Football Insider: “I think they’ve got a real chance do Celtic. I’m looking at their fixtures, at home to RB Leipzig which we know is going to be tough, but we all know what Celtic Park is like, it’s incredible.

“They’re at home to Club Brugge, in a one-off game you’d fancy Celtic, they’re at home to Young Boys, and at home to Slovan Bratislava. If they pick up maximum points at home and a couple of points on the road, it could be interesting for Celtic, they might be an outside bet to finish in the top eight.

“Outside bet I’m saying, not definite, but if you look at the other games, there a lot of big teams that can hurt each other. Celtic’s progression in the Champions League is going to rely on their home