Celtic V Juventus: Champions League Preview

11 February 2013 16:30

With Celtic currently enjoying an 18-point lead at the top of the SPL, Neil Lennon made a host of changes for the weekend win over Inverness in order to ensure fresh legs.

However, question marks remain over a number of players. Emilio Izaguirre (knee) and Georgios Samaras (thigh) had previously been rated as 50/50 for the match, but with Lennon insisting their treatments would be as aggressive as possible, starts look highly plausible.

Efe Ambrose will be available for selection, but his appearance in Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations final win on Sunday means he looks set to take a place on the bench, with Kelvin Wilson already highlighted as a probable starter.

Juventus head coach Antonio Conte has almost a full squad to pick from, with very few players missing for the trip to Scotland.

Giorgio Chiellini (calf) is still a few days away from a return, while Paolo De Ceglie, Simone Pepe and Nicklas Bendtner (all thigh) will miss out too.

On the positive side for Conte, Claudio Marchisio has recovered from the injury which had kept him out for a month, while Kwadwo Asamoah is back from Afcon duty with Ghana.

Meanwhile, Leonardo Bonucci's domestic suspension means he will be refreshed for Tuesday.

Probable line-ups.

Celtic

GK: Forster

Defence: Matthews, Lustig, Wilson, Izaguirre

Midfield: Brown, Wanyama, Mulgrew

Attack: Samara, Hooper, Forrest

Juventus

GK: Buffon

Defence: Bonucci, Barzagli, Caceres

Midfield: Lichsteiner, Marchisio, Pirlo, Vidal, Asamoah

Attack: Vucinic, Giovinco

Source: DSG