Hoops heap pressure on Benfica

With two Group G games left a victory for the Hoops would ensure qualification for the knockout stages while eliminating the Portuguese side.

And a score draw will be enough for Celtic if section leaders Barcelona beat Spartak Moscow.

Former Hoops defender Mjallby, buoyed by this month's home win over Barca, said: "We are in a great position.

"There is more pressure on Benfica because they really need to win the game. But it is a difficult game, it's a Champions League match away from home and we really respect Benfica, we think they are a really good side.

"But the confidence is there, we have shown that we can play away from home so why not go out and nick that vital point?

"They are probably going to go all out and win the game and they are going to be strong at home, a good side going forward, well organised but at the end of the day we have picked up a lot of confidence from our away games and we know that if we defend really well we can get something from this game."

Celtic welcome back skipper Scott Brown, midfielders Kris Commons and Joe Ledley, and strikers Gary Hooper and Miku after injury.

Forward Georgios Samaras, who came off during Saturday's 2-0 SPL win against Aberdeen at Pittodrie with fatigue, is also in the travelling party.

Left-back Emilio Izaguirre, centre-back Thomas Rogne and winger James Forrest remain out.

Celtic are two points behind Barcelona, who lost 2-1 at Parkhead. Benfica are in third place on four points while Spartak Moscow are bottom with three.