Champions League Live: Celtic v Man United

Watch Celtic v Manchester United live on RTÉ Two and online at www.rte.ie/live (ROI only). Coverage starts at 7pm.

OVERVIEW

Celtic are looking to avenge their Champions League Group E defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford last month when the two sides meet again at Parkhead.

The holders, however, are strong favourites to do the double over the Scottish champions and clinch their place in the last 16.

However, Scott McDonald is a pacy forward who can score key goals. Shaun Maloney joined from Aston Villa in the summer, while Shunsuke Nakamura is always a danger, having scored with a superb free-kick in the teams' last meeting at Parkhead.

United have an abundance of riches up front, with Ronaldo and Rooney two of the in-form players in the Premier League.

Ferguson can also call on Carlos Tevez and Ryan Giggs, with Nani and Anderson all contributing in attack. Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic can be imperious at the back with Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick doing hard work - a lot of it unnoticed - in midfield.

FORM

Celtic have been vying for the leadership of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League with arch-rivals Rangers all season.

The Scottish champions have lost only once at home this season - albeit in the Old Firm derby - and they have been relentless despite being depleted by injuries to key players.

However, their away form in Europe is abysmal with just one point from 17 games.

Barclays Premier League champions United have clicked into gear after a stuttering start to the season, with star man Cristiano Ronaldo showing signs of his incredible form from last term.

Wayne Rooney has also been firing on all cylinders recently, while Dimitar Berbatov has added a new dimension in attack. United dropped two points at Everton after beating Celtic but have since seen off West Ham United and Hull City.

TEAM NEWS

Celtic midfielder Barry Robson will shrug off a toe infection to play.

The Scotland player, who helped the Hoops return to the top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League on Sunday with a 2-0 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, missed training on Tuesday morning but will be fit.

Manager Gordon Strachan, however, is still without Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Georgios Samaras, Chris Killen, Glenn Loovens and Marc Crosas.

Alex Ferguson must decide whether Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak will get to experience the unique atmosphere of a Champions League night at Celtic.

First-choice Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar has been left at home in readiness for the weekend trip to Arsenal, so Ferguson will hand one of the Dutchman's deputies a chance of helping to guide the Red Devils into the knock-out phase with two games to spare.

Wes Brown (ankle), Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes (both knee) miss out, as does Gary Neville, who reported a minor niggle in training.

Celtic squad: Boruc, Hinkel, Naylor, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson, Maloney, McGeady, Scott Brown, Hartley, Robson, Donati, McDonald, McCourt, Sheridan, Mark Brown, Nakamura, O'Dea, Caddis.

Man United squad: Kuszczak, Foster, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Evra, Ronaldo, Carrick, Gibson, Possebon, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Nani, Park, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

GARY CALDWELL v DIMITAR BERBATOV

Caldwell has been a revelation for Celtic this season. The Scotland defender took a long time to win over the Hoops' faithful but has always been backed by manager Gordon Strachan.

The former Hibernian player, who scored against Hearts at Tynecastle in the SPL on Sunday, was deployed in a holding midfield role at Old Trafford. However, he will be back alongside skipper Stephen McManus in the centre of the Hoops defence, which is sure to come under pressure for long spells.

Berbatov is also beginning to win over those doubters who claimed he would struggle to fit in at Old Trafford.

The Bulgarian, who shone in United's home win over Hull at the weekend, will spearhead the visitors' attack at Parkhead and the Hoops have already been duly warned as to what to expect.

Berbatov's double in the first game in Manchester last month - albeit both having more than a hint of offside about them - took his tally in the competition to four and few would bet against him adding to that tally in Glasgow.

SCOTT BROWN v MICHAEL CARRICK

Brown deservedly picked up the Clydesdale Bank Premier League Player-of-the-Month award for October and has begun to show the form that won him a move from Hibernian.

Energetic and enthusiastic, he will be asked to provide support for the Celtic strikers - or striker - when the home side break forward.

Carrick has been sidelined by ankle and foot injuries this season and returned against Hull at the weekend after six weeks on the sidelines.

The England midfielder scored United's second goal in the game as he opened his account for this campaign but will have his fitness tested to the full by Brown at Celtic Park.

SCOTT McDONALD v RIO FERDINAND

McDonald ploughed a lone and frustrating furrow at Old Trafford, being forced to feed on scraps.

The Australian international was leading scorer in Scotland with 31 goals after moving from Motherwell in 2007 but has found it more difficult to replicate that scoring form this season.

He is likely to have either Shaun Maloney or young Irishman Cillian Sheridan as a strike partner for the visit of the Alex Ferguson's side.

Although that does not necessarily mean he will have any more joy in this rematch, if there is a half-chance to be had, McDonald could capitalise.

Ferdinand missed the visit of Celtic through injury but he was not missed as his deputy Jonny Evans had one of his easier nights in a red shirt.

The England defender has returned to marshall the United defence and although his aerial abilities are unlikely to be put to the test by McDonald, he will have to be at his sharpest to keep tabs on the diminutive Hoops striker.

THE MANAGERS

Gordon Strachan is another manager who played under Alex Ferguson and has proved his credentials during his short spell at Celtic, winning three league titles in a row as well as guiding the Bhoys into the knock-out stages of the Champions League for the past two years. The former Manchester United midfielder also had managerial stints at Coventry City and Southampton before taking over at Parkhead.

Alex Ferguson's thirst for success remains unquenched even after 22 mostly glorious years at Old Trafford. The Scot has overseen ten Premier League title wins as well as two in the Champions League and will be determined to follow up last May's domestic and European success.

GAFFER TALK

ALEX FERGUSON

On Van der Sar: At the very top level, Edwin could play for certainly one more year and probably two. I have no doubt in my mind about that. He is an outstanding example for any young goalkeeper.

On Foster: I can only go on what I see of that lad and in terms of first-team football that means the Derby game last season. But that was absolutely outstanding. Considering it was his first game for a year, it was a magnificent performance. From that, what we see of him in training and what we saw of him at Watford, yes, I would say he is England's number one. The problem for the lad is he has just recovered from an injury and Edwin van der Sar is there. It doesn't make it easy for him. But he is young and his time will come.

On Celtic: This season Juventus and Real Madrid are in a group, while Villarreal are in with us. Right at the very start did people honestly believe that Celtic would qualify? They were an outsider. Financially it is difficult but that doesn't mean it couldn't be done because Celtic's home record always gives them a big chance.

On United's main threats: I don't think there is a lot between ourselves, Chelsea, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona. We won the European Cup last year but after all, we only won it on penalty-kicks. It was not a landslide. It was a big struggle.

GORDON STRACHAN

On tonight's game: I'm looking forward to another exciting evening. It's another challenge, another dream and, yes, it should be good fun. We have to perform first, have a wee bit of luck, have some decisions going for us, with players playing at their maximum and the result takes care of itself.

On the last meeting: Offside goals can happen, we didn't make a big song and dance of it and the better team won. But the better team doesn't always win. So hopefully we put the same amount of effort in again and try and put some pressure on Manchester United and get the breaks.

On European games at home: European nights are fantastic at Celtic Park. Whatever happens in our careers as managers and coaches, it will not get any better than European nights here. This is a magical place and throughout the generations we have managed to create memories for the fans and there have been some special, special nights here that I will never forget and I'm sure the players feel the same way. But no matter what, nothing will match the game against Spartak Moscow and the sight of Tommy Burns flying over bodies at the end.

On tonight's tactics: You can't kick lumps out of each other and quite rightly so. It's not like 40 years ago when Celtic played Leeds United, when you could kick ten bells out of each other. You can't get away with that these days, fortunately they have brought some civilised rules in since then. We have to be careful with our passing, we have to get close to their players and when we get the ball we have to give them a problem. There has to be special moments from some of our players to score, unless we get a freak goal.

THE VERDICT

While the Celtic Park crowd will give the home side vociferous support from the first minute to the last, United should have the class to overcome the high-octane atmosphere and take the points.

However, with United almost through to the knock-out stages and a big league game on Saturday against Arsenal, there is every chance that Celtic might catch Ferguson's side on an off day.

Even still, Celtic will have to produce a moment or two of class to take any opportunities afforded to them. But with Nakamura's ability from set pieces, lightning may just strike twice at Celtic Park tonight.

VERDICT: Draw

BETTING (best price)

Celtic win: 9-2
United win: 4-6
Draw: 13-5