Celtic need a point at already-qualified Milan to reach the Champions League knockout stages for a second successive year and dash the hopes of Shakhtar Donetsk.The final round of games in Group D have been brought forward by a week because European champions Milan jet off to the Club World Cup in Japan following Tuesday's matches.
SPL leaders Celtic, who drew 1-1 at Hearts on Saturday, will be without long-term injury victim John Kennedy while goalkeeper Artur Boruc thinks he can face Milan despite a knee problem.
Shakhtar, three points behind Celtic, must beat eliminated Benfica at home and hope an expected Milan reserve side win against the Scottish champions.
The Ukrainians would then qualify for the last 16 for the first time because of a better head-to-head record. They beat Celtic 2-0 at home in September and lost 2-1 in Glasgow last week after Massimo Donati's stoppage-time winner.
Former Milan midfielder Donati, who hardly figured in six years at the San Siro where he was constantly sent on loan, criticised Italian football last week as being full of jealousy.His words may stoke some of Milan's second string into action but the Rossoneri also have the carrot of finishing first in the group as a defeat or draw would make Celtic top dogs."It's a game that should give us the mathematical certainty of finishing top of the group so we have a better draw for the last 16," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.
Ancelotti is also under pressure and will demand a home victory with his stuttering side failing to win at San Siro in the league this season. They drew 0-0 with Juventus on Saturday.
Benfica too have something to play for in Donetsk. A win would lift the Portuguese side above the Ukrainians into third and put them into the UEFA Cup last 32.
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