Pre-season football is continuing at pace this summer and another tournament gets underway this week, this time in Italy, as Ajax and Celtic enter the Como Cup.
Both former European champions, these two storied giants of the game will face off against each other in the semi-finals, with a final awaiting against either Cesc Fabregas' Como or Saudi side Al Ahli.
Ajax have undergone yet further major surgery to their squad and backroom staff over the summer, with former Liverpool assistant Johnny Heitinga replacing Francesco Farioli in the dugout, while Brendan Rodgers is continuing his long-term building project at Celtic Park, as both sides gear up for UEFA Champions League football to come.
Ajax vs. Celtic pre-season friendly prediction
With preparations well underway for the start of their Scottish Premier League title defence in just over a week, and Celtic ahead of many sides in terms of their pre-season fitness levels, backing the Bhoys in this one would appear a good value bet, especially at 17/10 with Sky Bet.
Ajax remain the slight favourites with the bookmakers, though, as they are lined up at 13/10, while the draw in 90 minutes is priced up at 13/5.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Ajax 2-3 Celtic
- Celtic are rated as a 37% chance to beat Ajax inside 90 minutes by Sky Bet for this pre-season friendly.
- Learn more about reading odds, different types of bets and the best online betting sites through our how to bet on football guide
Ajax vs. Celtic predicted lineups
Ajax predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left)
- Jaros (GK) — Rosa, Bouwman, Baas, Wijndal — Berghuis, Mokio, Fitz-Jim — Traore, Weghorst, Godts
Injured: Van den Boomen (back)
Suspended: None
Celtic predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left)
- Schmeichel (GK) — Ralston, Murray, Trusty, Inamura — McGregor, Engels — Yang, McCowan, Maeda — Kenny
Injured: Jota (knee)
Suspended: None
Ajax vs. Celtic latest odds, correct score betting
Given it's still pre-season and both sides are still finding their form, we are expecting goals and our score prediction is for Celtic to win 3-2 in this one (18/1 with Sky Bet) but here’s the best odds available from our selected partners for some of the likeliest results for this match.
*Odds correct at time of publish
| Result | Odds* | Bet With |
| Ajax 1-1 Celtic | 7/1 | SkyBet |
| Ajax 2-1 Celtic | 17/2 | SkyBet |
| Ajax 1-2 Celtic | 17/2 | SkyBet |
| Ajax 2-2 Celtic | 9/1 | SkyBet |
| Ajax 1-0 Celtic | 12/1 | SkyBet |
Back your correct score pick with Sky Bet for £30 in free bets from a 5p stake
Ajax vs. Celtic team news
- With Johnny Heitinga now in charge, Ajax are expected to return to playing a more progressive style of football in terms of their possession-based approach. That should lead to a lot of youngsters playing this season, and especially in pre-season.
- In terms of injury issues, there are no fresh concerns reported as of yet, albeit experienced midfielder Branco van den Boomen remains unavailable due to a back injury.
- Celtic head to Italy with what appears to be a near clean bill of health in terms of injuries from this pre-season, with Kieran Tierney building his fitness levels back up at Parkhead.
- The Bhoys do remain without key winger Jota, though, as the Portuguese attacker is sidelined until the New Year due to an ACL injury.
Ajax vs. Celtic Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this game is for Celtic to win and Both Teams To Score, available at (3/1 with SkyBet). You can also add some additional value with Celtic to score over 2.5 goals (3/1 with SkyBet).
Ajax are, as mentioned, likely to try and progress and evolve their style of football once again after the more pragmatic and reactive approach of Farioli. That should lead to more open games.
The same style is the way in which Rodgers likes Celtic to play, as they did when they beat Newcastle United 4-0 last weekend.
Ajax vs. Celtic head-to-head
Celtic and Ajax have only faced each other in 10 competitive matches, with the most recent coming nearly 10 years ago in November 2015.
Overall, in those 10 matches, Ajax have managed four victories with Celtic earning four victories of their own and there have been two 2-2 draws.
How to watch Ajax vs. Celtic: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Thursday, July 24
- Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, Como, Italy
- Time: 7:30 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: Celtic TV