The UEFA Champions League returns this week with matchday No. 5 in the competition.
Group E will see a massive fixture between Serie A’s Lazio and Scottish Premiership club Celtic.
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Atletico Madrid lead Group E with eight points from four games. They are assured a place in the Europa League playoffs at the very least.
It is a big turnaround from Atletico’s Champions League performance last term.
Lazio are second in the group, with seven points ahead of matchday No. 5 in Group E.
A win the result between Atletico and Feyenoord going their way would send Lazio to the top of the group.
Celtic’s Champions League campaign hasn’t gone well. The Hoops have a mere one point from 12 points on offer.
Celtic are still able to progress to the next round of the Champions League but must win on Tuesday night to keep hope alive.
Lazio went to Celtic Park on matchday No. 2 of the group stage and won 2-1. Celtic led after 12 minutes thanks to a goal from Kyogo Furuhashi.
However, Brendan Rodgers’ team couldn’t hold onto the lead, as Lazio equalised in the 29th minute courtesy of Matias Vecino.
Lazio huffed and puffed and finally scored the winner in second-half stoppage time through Pedro.
Lazio are not a high-scoring team this season. Mauricio Sarri’s squad scored a mere five times in four group-stage games.
They conceded just five times as well. Three of Lazio’s four matches in the group stage saw both teams score goals.
The Biancocelesti are coming off a 1-0 home win over Feyenoord in their last Champions League group-stage game. Celtic, on the other hand, are coming off a humiliating 6-0 loss against Atletico.
Celtic’s lone point in the Champions League group stage came courtesy of a shock 2-2 draw versus Atletico Madrid at Celtic Park.
Rodgers’ team scored a mere three goals in their four group games. Meanwhile, the team’s defence has been destroyed by opposition offences. Celtic conceded 12 times in their opening four group games.
Lazio coach Sarri is unlikely to have defender Alessio Romagnoli available following a calf injury. Fellow defender Nicolo Casale is also unlikely to appear following a muscle injury.
Rodgers has three players in the treatment room ahead of the fixture. Midfielder Reo Hatate has a hamstring strain and is sidelined until December.
Forward Liel Abada is out until January with a hamstring strain. Midfielder James McCarthy is a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury.
Lazio won the reverse fixture against Celtic and go into the game following a win over Feyenoord. A win could send them into the next round of the Champions League while eliminating Celtic from the competition.