New Year, New Beginings; European Teams Clash On Thursday: Accumulator Tip for January 02

Rangers FC vs. Celtic

Rangers have made a slow start to the season, and their title race journey may be as well out of the question after a 2-2 draw against Motherwell on Thursday. However, that result didn't come as a surprise considering their poor away record, which has seen them win three of their last nine games, including four losses and two draws. 

Celtic, on the other hand, has hit their stride this season as they head into this clash unbeaten in their last 18 matches (W16, D2). 

The Bhoys' recent match saw them defeat St. Johnstone 4-0 at home, a mirror result of their prior triumph against Motherwell at the same venue. They will be hoping to extend their winning streak to three matches in this impending encounter. 

Celtic has been far the most dominant team in this fixture, and there's no way I'm seeing Brendan Rodgers's men lose this fixture, but I'm expecting a tight affair when both these sides meet. They both have the attacking potential at their disposal, and goals can be expected from both sides in this encounter. 

• Bet Type: BTTS

Maccabi Haifa vs. Maccabi Bnei Raina

Maccabi Haifa is paying a hefty price for their slow start in the Israeli Premier League as they find themselves occupying third place in the standings and are four points behind league leaders Hapoel Beer-Sheva.

In their most recent match, they recorded a commanding 6-0 victory over Ironi Ashkelon in the eighth round of the Israeli State Cup on Monday, whereas their last league match saw them defeat Maccabi Netanya 2-1 at home. 

Maccabi Bnei Raina will be seeking to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat in the league following a convincing 2-0 home defeat against Hapoel Haifa. 

The visitors have won just one of their last five matches in the league and head into this clash boasting a two-match losing streak on the road. They have accumulated 20 points from 15 games and are four points behind the Championship round spots.

The home team has struggled for favorable results in this fixture, and while they are favorites in this clash, I expect them to fight really hard for the three points. This is why I'm backing both sides to get on the scoreboard here, as this has been the case in each of their last four meetings.

• Bet Type: W1

Inter Milan vs. Atalanta

Inter Milan are third with 40 points accumulated from 17 games in Serie A and are one point adrift of their opponents in this impending encounter. 

The home team defeated Cagliari in a 3-0 away triumph on Saturday to extend their winning run in the league to five matches, not to mention they've avoided defeat in their last 12 league matches.

Atalanta is the current league leader in Serie A, with 41 points accumulated from 18 games. In their most recent match, they played out a 1-1 draw against Lazio away from home, and this extended their unbeaten run in the league to 13 matches (W11, D3).

This will be their first meeting against Inter Milan in the Super Cup, and it's worth mentioning they've lost six consecutive matches against this opponent across all competitions. 

Inter Milan may be playing the second fiddle this season, but there's no denying they have the best quality and squad at their disposal to see off the threat of Atalanta in this fixture, which is why I'm backing the home side to come out victorious in this impending encounter.

• Bet Type: W1