Champions League: Celtic v Spartak Moscow match preview

A look ahead to tonight's Champions League fixture at Celtic Park

Neil Lennon during Celtic training at Lennoxtown yesterday (PA)

Celtic go into this match knowing they must better Benfica's result in Barcelona to advance through to the knock-out stages of the Champions League as runners-up in Group G.

Following their narrow defeat in Lisbon just over a fortnight ago, the Bhoys still stand a great chance of qualifying from the group, a feat Neil Lennon has described as being 'the best achievement of his managerial career' if they do go through.

Spartak Moscow have no chance of qualifying to the knock-out stages or claiming a Europa League spot so go into the game with no pressure hanging over them.

KICK-OFF: Wednesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Spartak Moscow 2 (Emenike 2) Celtic 3 (Hooper, D. Kombarov o.g., Samaras), group stage, October 2012

Celtic 1 (McDonald) Spartak Moscow 1 (Pavlyuchenko), Champions League qualifying stages, AET 1-1, aggregate 2-2, Celtic won 4-3 on penalties, August 2007

Spartak Moscow 1 (Pavlyuchenko) Celtic 1 (Hartley), Champions League qualifying stages, August 2007

STATS…

Neil Lennon's Celtic are looking to complete their first ever double over opponents in the Champions League. The Bhoys' 3-2 victory over Spartak at the Stadion Luzhniki in October was their first away victory in 21 attempts in the modern-day competition.

Already sure of finishing bottom, Spartak have suffered an early exit for the fifth successive time in the Champions League. They have lost both away matches in the section, though they did earn a 1-1 draw at Fenerbahçe SK in the play-offs.

This is Celtic's 150th European Cup match. They have scored 46 goals in the Champions League.

Dmitri Kombarov has played every minute of Spartak's group stage campaign.

The Scottish giants' last three Champions League games have finished 2-1 - a win and loss against Barcelona, and a defeat in their last match against Benfica.

Emmanel Emenike has been impressive in this year's Champions League scoring three times in five appearances.

ODDS…

Celtic to win: 1.8

Spartak Moscow to win : 5.4

Draw: 3.75

TV: Live on Sky Sports 3 at 7.45pm