Champions League: Celtic v Ajax match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Champions League fixture at Celtic Park

Celtic's Georgios Samaras speaks to the press on Monday (GETTY IMAGES)

Celtic will be without their captain Scott Brown and injured playmaker Kris Commons when they face Dutch Champions Ajax at Celtic Park. Despite being unbeaten in the Scottish Premier division and four points clear of second-placed Inverness, Celtic are winless after two rounds of Champions League action.

Realistically they need all three points if they are to retain any hope of progressing to the knockout rounds for the second straight season. However, Ajax are in a similar position after being unfortunate to only take a point against Milan, and this is very much a six-pointer.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

STATS…

The sides boast five Champions League titles between them. Ajax’s last competition win was in 1995 whereas Celtic’s sole win came in 1967.

Celtic’s triumph was the first time a British side had lifted the cup.

The Champions League has been won 16 times by the four teams in Group H.

It is the first time four previous winners have been drawn together in the Champions League group stages.

Celtic made the knockout stages for the first time in five seasons last time around.

PAST MEETINGS...

22 August, 2001: CL third qualifying round leg two, Celtic 0 Ajax 1 (Wamberto)

8 August, 2001: CL third qualifying round leg one, Ajax 1 (Arveladze) Celtic 3 (Petta, Agathe, Sutton)

ODDS…

Celtic 2.5

Ajax 2.9

Draw 3.2

TV: Live on Sky Sports 3 at 7.45pm, highlights on ITV at 10.35pm.