After overcoming mighty Barcelona in group stage, Celtic can be forgiven for feeling optimistic ahead of the clash with the Serie A leaders, who are clearly the favourites to go through.

Five years since the Bhoys were eliminated by Barcelona in the Champions League last 16 stage they will have a chance to go one step further and qualify for the quarter-finals.

That will be no easy task given that mighty Juventus will be on the other side, but having defied the odds to progress from what was a very difficult group, Neil Lennon’s side have no reason to fear their more illustrious opponents.

Following the goalless draw with Benfica, Celtic produced two memorable performances at their Parkhead to see off Barcelona and Spartak Moscow, and are now hoping to make it three in a row.

This may be a long shot, but bear in mind the Bhoys are 4.80 (19/5) with Stan James to create an advantage before the return leg in Turin.

On the other hand, Celtic are 5.50 (9/2) with Coral to qualify for the quarter-finals, and I know quite a few Scots that will be taking these odds.

Neil Lennon is hopeful important defender Efe Ambrose will be in contention for the Juventus game, but he is highly unlikely to start having played for Nigeria in Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

James Forrest and Kris Commons are fit to start, but Emilio Izaguirre and Georgios Samaras are both injury doubts.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-1-1): Forster – Matthews, Lustig, Wilson, Izaguirre – Brown, Mulgrew, Wanyama, Kommons – Samaras – Hooper.

Juventus, too, faced a very difficult task on their return to Europe’s elite competition, as they had to battle Chelsea and Shakhtar for two places in the quarter-finals.

In spite of the slow start, Juventus ended up progressing from the first place in the group, after winning their last three group games.

The Bianconeri have since dropped out of the Coppa Italia, but increased their lead at the top of Serie A to five points, meaning they can now fully focus on their European campaign.

Boosted by the 2-0 victory over arch rivals Fiorentina, Antonio Conte’s side are 1.83 (5/6) with Paddy Power to win at Parkhead.

Seeing they are also one of the main candidates for the trophy, the Old Lady are 13.00 (12/1) at Coral to lift the Champions League title.

Antonio Conte will be without Paolo de Ceglie, after he picked up an injury against Fiorentina, but Claudio Marchisio and Sebastian Giovinco have both returned into action.

Kwadwo Asamoah is back from Africa Cup of Nations duty, while Leonardo Bonucci returns from a domestic ban.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Buffon – Barzagli, Bonucci, Caceres – Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Marchisio, Asamoah – Vucinic, Giovinco.

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