CELTIC are favourites to beat Danish visitors Aalborg at Parkhead tonight, with odds of 8-1 on to win the Champions League encounter by paddypower.com
Aalborg who will miss the sevices of influential full back Bogelund, were lucky in the third round in qualifications, playing against Kaunas, one of the weakest teams that were qualified in that round.
The pressure is on for Gordon Strachan to steer the team to a first ever win in the opening game of a Champions League group campaign.
In the last five attempts Celtic have lost to Juventus, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Shakhtar Donetsk, all away, and Barcelona at home.
Shaun Maloney in contrast would be happy enough with a draw
Maloney stated: "It's just going to be a massive game and the crowd is such a big factor on nights like this. It is not a must-win or anything like that, but it would be great if we could start off with three points."

Since Ghord became manager in 2005 Celtic have never lost a group stage game at home. They twice reached the knockout stage of the tournament — in 2006-07 and again last season.
The Celtic support believe there is the opportunity to banish their opening day jinx against the fourth seeded team in the group.
“Aye — and Aalborg will think that their best chance of doing damage is against the team that are third seeds,” Strachan retorted.

Gary Caldwell believes too that the Celts can win but he urges the fans to be patient
The atmosphere at Celtic Park is always great on Champions League nights," said the centre back. "I am sure it will be the same this time.

"But if the game stays goalless for a while, the fans are going to have to stick with us and not get impatient.

"We will be trying to do the right things, and I'm sure that by the end of the game we will take the points. But it might take a while to get the goals."

He is under no illusions however
"They are all difficult games, but they are ones we are looking forward to.

"As for Villarreal, we know Spanish teams are always very good. And if they can beat Barcelona in the Nou Camp, then finish 10 points clear of them in the league, they must be a decent side.

"It's a difficult group. But the last two years has given us a confidence that we believe we can qualify for the last 16 again.

"Maybe getting through in the last two years has put a little bit of extra pressure on us. But as players you take that on and move forward. We want to go to the next level, which is the last eight."

Strachan is not relying on winning all three games at fortress Parkhead to progress

“Nine points might take us through. We went through twice with nine, but Celtic once didn’t get through with nine and Rangers went through with seven points. A win away from home would be vital. It would be ironic if we could do that this time , if we won away and not get enough points at home, but the thing about the Champions League is that you can go for it in every game.”

Probable teams

Celtic (4-4-2): Boruc: Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Wilson; Nakamura, Brown, Robson, McGeady; McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink.
Aalborg (4-4-1-1): Zaza; L Nielsen, Olfers, Jakobsen, M Pedersen; Risgard, Augustinussen, Johansson, Due; caca; Curth.