Preview: Spartak Moscow vs. Celtic

Russian outfit Spartak Moscow welcome Celtic on Tuesday with both clubs searching for their first win in Group G.

Spartak were narrowly beaten away to Barcelona in their first match of the Champions League campaign, while Celtic were held to a goalless draw by Benfica.

The Moscow outfit have won just one of their last 14 Champions League home games, losing eight, but Celtic have not won away from home in Europe in 26 matches.

Barcelona and Benfica are considered as the favourites to emerge from the group, but Spartak will hope to put themselves in the picture with three points against the Scottish outfit.

The home side will be without goalkeeper Andriy Dykan, with Sergei Pesyakov likely to get the nod between the sticks. Meanwhile, skipper Sergei Parshivlyuk, Romulo and Wellington remain on the sidelines.

Celtic are expected to name Gary Hooper in attack, but fit-again Georgios Samaras is also pushing for a place in the starting side.

Recent form:

Spartak Moscow: WWLDL Celtic: LDWWW

Possible lineups:

Spartak Moscow: Pesyakov; Kombarov, Suchy, Insaurralde, Kombarov; Kallstrom, De Zeeuw; McGeady, Ari, Bilyaletdinov; Dzuba

Celtic: Forster; Matthews, Lustig, Wilson, Izaguirre; Forrest, Wanyama, Brown, Mulgrew; Samaras, Hooper

Sports Mole says: 3-1