UEFA decision could hand Celtic huge boost vs Real Betis

The first game between Celtic and Real Betis was a thriller, ending in a 4-3 defeat for Ange Postecoglou’s side away in Seville. And the next one could have huge implications on the Europa League, depending upon how results go on the fifth matchday. A decision from UEFA could end up handing the Hoops a huge boost though.

Celtic’s 3-2 away win against Ferencvaros means that their Europa League knockout phase chances are still alive and well. But they have two very tough games coming up, against Bayer Leverkusen away and Real Betis at Parkhead.

Celtic could potentially be handed a huge boost even before taking to the pitch against Manuel Pellegrini’s side though. Nabil Fekir was sent off against Bayer Leverkusen in their recent game.

Now, as reported by Marca, a UEFA committee has to decide whether it was just unsportsmanlike conduct or aggression. If it is the former then Fekir will miss one game but if it is the latter, he will miss three, including the one against Celtic.

Fekir could potentially miss the game against Celtic

Of course, it might not end up mattering at all. To keep things interesting, Celtic will have to get a result against Bayer Leverkusen or hope that Ferencvaros get one against Real Betis in the next matchday.

If Celtic lose against Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis win against Ferencvaros, then the Hoops cannot come second in their group, even if they end up beating the Spanish side on the final matchday.

For now though, the club’s hopes of making it to the knockout phase of the competition are very much alive and they will have taken a lot of confidence from the away win against Ferencvaros. The focus must now turn towards the Scottish Premiership though, as they will next face Dundee FC, in a game that the Hoops will be looking to win after dropping points against Livingston last weekend.