Khaya’s picks

After beating the likes of Leipzig in the group stages, Celtic ought to approach tonight’s Uefa Europa League match against Valencia feeling confident.

Brendan Rodgers’ men are in good form domestically and during the group stages, the Bhoys delivered some encouraging performances, especially when beating Leipzig, so perhaps they can make headway against a side of Valencia’s calibre.

Looking at their three home group stage games, it’s easy to see Celtic have what it takes to cause problems.

However, their defensive efforts against Leipzig and Salzburg didn’t suggest they can keep a side like Valencia quiet.

Valencia didn’t thrive in the Champions League (UCL), but some of their efforts suggest they ought to cause the hosts plenty of problems at Celtic Park.

In the UCL, they avoided defeat at Old Trafford. They also only lost by a single goal away against Juventus.

If the Spanish outfit can test sides of that calibre, they should have little problem doing well against the current Scottish champions. This could go either way. Pool code: S6 V2 P2 M1: Rapid Vienna v Inter Milan. Away win for Inter. TIP: Inter = 3 M2: Slavia Prague v Genk. Victory for Slavia. TIP: Slavia = 1 M3: Celtic FC v Valencia. Previewed above. TIP: Draw = 2 M4: Club Brugge v Salzburg. Away win for Salzburg. TIP: Salzburg = 3 M5: Malmo FF v Chelsea. Chelsea looks too strong. TIP: Chelsea = 3 M6: FC Zurich v Napoli. Away victory for Napoli.

TIP: Napoli = 3