Giorgios Samaras Celtic
Giorgios Samaras will be a key player for Celtic in their Champions League game against AjaxReuters

Two teams - Ajax and Celtic -- that have one point between them in this season's Champions League face off in what really is a must-win tie for both sides.

Ajax have picked up just one point from two games, courtesy a 1-1 draw against AC Milan in Amsterdam - a point which really should have been three with the Dutch side conceding a stoppage time penalty, after they themselves had scored a late opening goal.

Celtic have lost both their opening games - to Milan and Barcelona - and know a win is necessary if they are to keep themselves within catching distance of the top two, and manager Neil Lennon is determined to take advantage of playing at home.

"We're looking forward to it," Lennon said. "We know what's at stake. But the fact that we're at home gives us a slight heads-up. It's not [a must-win game], it's a must-not-get-beat. I'm confident with this team that we can perform away from home as well.

"Winning the game would put us in a very good position within the group. I think losing the game will probably end our aspirations of trying to qualify."

Ajax manager Frank De Boer, who knows all about facing Celtic having played for great rivals Rangers, believes the two sides are playing for second place in the group, with top spot seemingly out of their reach following Barcelona's perfect start.

"It's obviously always nice to win and to lose is the worse option, but a draw could be enough because then we play Celtic at the Amsterdam Arena," he said. "If we win, it could be very difficult for Celtic to get close to second place and if we lose, Celtic take a great advantage. We're playing for second place.

"Celtic are favourites. The level between both clubs is pretty even but they're playing at home with the fans behind them. I hope luck is on my side. We're getting better every match and the results will soon follow if we keep on playing well like that. There's a great chance it'll come tomorrow."

Team News: Celtic have plenty of worries with Kris Commons joining Adam Matthews (shoulder) and Derek Boerrigter (ankle) in missing out through injury. Scott Brown is suspended, but Mikael Lustig (hip) and Emilio Izaguirre (virus) could make the final squad.

Ajax will take a late call on Niklas Moisander, who De Boer called "very important." Ricardo Van Rhijn is also a doubt while Ruben Ligeon (toe), Bojan Krkic (hamstring) and Lerin Duarte (ankle) did not make the trip to Glasgow.

Key men: Celtic: Giorgios Samaras is the main man for the Scottish club and De Boer expects Celtic to take advantage of the Greek international's height and strength.

"Samaras is a key player with his height and strength," the Ajax manager said. "If they can't build from the back, the first ball will be for Samaras and then they'll fight for the second phase. He's so strong, it's almost impossible to win the first ball, the header from Samaras. You have to be very good to win the second."

Ajax: The Dutch giants need Siem De Jong to start chipping in with a few goals to help reduce the burden on the relatively inexperienced strike pair of Kolbeinn Sigthorsson and Viktor Fischer.

Where to watch

The match is set for a 12.15 p.m. IST start on Wednesday morning with no live telecast scheduled.

Expected lineups: Celtic: Forster; Fisher, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Mulgrew; Forrest, Brown, Kayal, Samaras; Stokes, Pukki.

Ajax: Cillessen; Van Rhijn, Moisander, Denswil, Boilesen; De Jong, Blind, Serero; Andersen, Sigthorsson, Fischer.

Prediction: 1-1