Celtic vs Copenhagen preview

Team news, stats and prediction as Celtic host Copenhagen in the last 32 of the Europa League.

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Team news

Skipper Scott Brown and winger James Forrest will return from injury for Celtic's Europa League clash with FC Copenhagen at Parkhead on Thursday night.

Veteran midfielder Brown suffered a calf injury in the 1-1 first-leg draw, while Forrest missed out with a knock but Neil Lennon has confirmed both are fit.

Midfielder Olivier Ntcham remains out with a calf problem. Attacker Ryan Christie is suspended while defender Hatem Abd Elhamed is working his way back from a groin injury with forward Mikey Johnston (knee) still out.

Dame N'Doye scored for Copenhagen in their first leg and is likely to be a chief threat.

Opta stats

• Celtic are winless in their last four European games against Danish opponents (D2 L2), however they are unbeaten against such opposition on home soil (P6 W4 D2), without conceding a single goal.
• FC Copenhagen have drawn four of their last six UEFA Europa League games (W1 L1), including the first leg at Telia Parken (1-1) - the Danish side will be aiming to reach the last 16 of the competition for the first time since 2016-17 where they were knocked out by Ajax.
• Celtic will be aiming to reach the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League (in its current format) for the first time, whilst they last progressed to this stage of a European competition back in 2012/13 in the Champions League where they met Juventus.
• Despite qualifying from the group stage, FC Copenhagen have scored just six goals in their seven UEFA Europa League matches in 2019-20 and have attempted the fewest shots of any team to have played 6+ games (47).
• Following his goal in the first leg, no Celtic player has been involved in more UEFA Europa League goals for the Hoops this campaign than Odsonne Edouard (4 - 2 goals and 2 assists).

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Charlie Nicholas' prediction

The Premiership is in the bag for Celtic and I think this will be a comfortable European night. Copenhagen have no pace up front and little quality in the centre-back department.

Dame N'Doye scored against Celtic - he is a handful but Celtic could play a high line without getting too worried. The two Copenhagen midfielders are decent talents but the rest, I think, are average.

It could be more than this but Celtic will turn it on again, regardless. Through to the last 16 for Neil Lennon's side.

CHARLIE PREDICTS: Celtic 2-0 FC Copenhagen (9/2 with Sky Bet)

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