If records are anything to go by then the Bhoys have an awesome chance of winning, their home record in all competitions over the past three years has been phenominal.

This is Martin O'Neill's 39th game in charge of the hoops in Europe and his impresive record stands at Won 22 Lost 13 Drawn 3 since he joined under 4 seasons ago. Over that period Celtic have lost only twice at Parkhead 2-1 to Bordeaux in extra-time in O'Neill's first season and 1-0 to Ajax in the Champions League qualifiers three seasons ago. They have won 14 of their 18 home games with two draws against Liverpool (1-1) and Boavista (1-1) last season.

Celtic have netted 71 goals and conceded 35. Henrik Larsson is top marksman with 22 strikes while Chris Sutton has netted 12. Alan Thompson and Stilian Petrov have each claimed five.

John Hartson, Lubo Moravcik and Mark Burchill have hit three each while Paul Lambert, Shaun Maloney, Liam Miller, Didier Agathe, Bobby Petta, Joos Valgaeren and Eyal Berkovic have contributed two each. Thirty-nine of the 71 goals havecome at home.

Team News

It was feared that the loss of Alan Thompson through injury would Jeopardise Celtic's chances of winning this crucial game. Thompson has been superb for the Hoops in Europe this season and has even had England coach Sven Goran Eriksson looking at him.

Eriksson's assistant Tord Grip is expected to be at Celtic park tonight to take a look at Chris Sutton who has also impressed.

Michael Gray looks almost certain to step in ahead of Bobby Petta on Celtic's left hand side. The 29-year-old has not featured in any of Celtic’s previous three Champions League encounters this season, but instead has had to be content with taking in the action from the bench and, inevitably, Gray is itching for his chance to shine on the most salubrious stage of all.

“I’ve said when I first came up here that Alan was playing consistently well and you have to give credit where credit is due,” he said. “England are struggling for a left-sided player and there’s not many names being touted for that position at the minute.

“The way Alan has been playing up here and in Europe should certainly put him in with a chance. It’s unfortunate that he has picked up a niggling little injury but hopefully he will get back because he is one of the main performers in this team.

“If I do get the chance to play then it’ll be fantastic. I know I’m ready to step in, but I also know how big the squad is and that the manager will have a few options available to him and he’ll have different ideas in his mind.

“I’m certainly match fit. Since I’ve been here I’ve mostly been coming on from the bench, but I am a fit guy anyway, I look after myself and I’ve been doing extra work with the fitness coaches just to keep me on top of things. If I’m called upon to start I know that I’m definitely ready to play.

“The Champions League is the place to play. The football that gets played in the competition is fantastic and it’s just great to be a part of it. I’ve been on the bench for the last three Champions League games and hopefully I can get a start in it over the next few weeks and I’ll give it my best shot.”

Joos Valgaeren also looks set to start after returning from injury, and looks likely to be in Martin O'Neill's favoured 5-3-2 formation along side Bobo Balde and Jackie Mcnamara.

It will however be interesting to see who starts up-front alongside Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton is almost certain to play, but whether O'Neill will put him as a centre midfielder or a forward remains to be seen.

I think we'll sneak a 2-1 against the Belgian champions, we can expect a very physical game and our defence will have to watch the pace coming in at them from Anderlecht forward Acuna, he will be the dangerman as he has many tricks up his sleeve. In other words he's a diving cheat.

Probable Team Hedman, Balde, Valgaeren, Mcnamara, Gray, Miller, Petrov, Sutton, Agathe, Hartson, Larsson
Hoops Online Prediction: Celtic 2-1 Anderlecht

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