Celtic must win at Lazio on Tuesday to stand any chance of continuing playing European football after Christmas.
Brendan Rodgers’ team are currently rooted to the foot of Group E with just one point from their four Champions League group stage fixtures this season but a win in Rome would put them back in contention for a third-place finish and a Europa League knockout round spot.
Lazio, on the other hand, are chasing qualification for the round of 16 of the Champions League with their only defeat in the competition so far coming against Feyenoord and obviously are favourites to win on Tuesday night against a Celtic team that are considered the underdogs.
Celtic have shipped eight goals in the two away matches they have played in the Champions League group stage this season and also failed to find the back of the net in the competition away from home. Therefore, it will be difficult for the Scottish side to change this trend against Lazio on Tuesday.
Indeed, Maurizio Sarri’s team have kept a clean sheet in each of their last three home matches in all competitions.
Those clean sheets have also come against a high standard of opposition – Fiorentina, Feyenoord and Roma. Keeping toothless Celtic at arm’s length looks to be a job they are capable of if at their best.