This evening, Celtic can book their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

Ronny Deila's men are up against leaders Red Bull Salzburg, who have already secured their spot in the last 32 of the competition.

However, should the hosts come out on top at Celtic Park, it will be them that move to the top of the standings with one match to play.

Here, Sports Mole has looked ahead to the encounter against the Austrians with former Bhoys frontman Chris Sutton, who was speaking on behalf of BT Sport and will be part of their presenting team at the game tonight.

Salzburg may have already qualified, but do you expect them to come determined to win the match to seal top spot in the group?

"I do and you know there has been a train of thought where Salzburg will bring a weakened side, but I don't think there is any chance of that because Salzburg will want to top the group so that they avoid one of the Champions League drop-outs in the last 32. I don't think there's any chance of them bringing a weakened side because they'll want to win the game and put it to bed. If Celtic beat Salzburg they'll go above them in the group and have the possibility of finishing top. Obviously, Salzburg won't want that to happen."

Of course, as you've mentioned, if Celtic were to win, they'd be in control of the group. How vital is finishing top and not facing a Champions League side in the first knockout round?

"It's crucial. First and foremost you want to qualify and that's something that Celtic will just be concentrating on and will want to win the game. Obviously, if the game in Romania goes against them with Zagreb beating Astra and Celtic don't win, they will have to go to Croatia and get the result on December 11, which we would all say would be tough for Celtic.

"So, you want to deal with it at the earliest opportunity, and without a doubt the players and the management will still have that feeling in the pit of the stomach, that really they wanted to hang on in Romania. That goal was a bit of a killer from Astra but it's still in Celtic's hands, which is all they can ask for."

How much confidence can and should Celtic take from their performance in Austria, where they claimed a 2-2 draw at the start of the campaign?

"That was Celtic's best performance in the competition. [Salzburg] are the toughest team Celtic have faced all season. They've got goals in the team the with the likes of Jonathan Soriano, who is scoring a goal a game. They've got other guys - the likes of Marcel Sabitza, Bruno and Alan - other forwards who are chipping in with their fair share.

"These are a top team and it's going to be tough for Celtic, I don't think that Celtic can afford to be off their game at all or even slightly off the game. They need to be at it, they need to be organised, they need to be miserly at the back and they need to have a goal threat."

Who do you see as being Celtic's potential match-winners? Perhaps the pace and trickery of James Forrest and Wakaso Mubarak out wide?

"I like the fact that Forrest is back. He gives Celtic an extra dimension. In an attacking sense he has pace, which is something Celtic have missed down that right-hand side and he can carry the ball up the pitch. He's direct and he's got a goal in him. If Wakaso plays on the left, Celtic will have nice balance with those two. It will be interesting to see which way Deila goes with the team that he selects.

"It seems there are a few places up for grabs. Kris Commons, will he play? He came back in to the team at the weekend. He didn't perform to his usual standards, saying that he has been out a long time. So, I think Stefan Johannson will play ahead of Charlie Mulgrew and Scott Brown. The centre-forwards - will Stefan Scepovic come back in or will it be Anthony Stokes and Wakaso out wide? Listen, there's decisions he's got to make, but it will be interesting to see which way he goes."

How much of a miss will the ineligible John Guidetti be, given his recent form in front of goal?

"He is the centre-forward that is head and shoulders above anything else Celtic have in that position. He has a good all-round game, he has the ability to hold the ball up, he will run in behind, creates chances for himself and is not afraid to miss. He can finish and you look at his scoring record and it's been phenomenal so fingers crossed for Celtic they can get through and I think Guidetti can play in the next stage, so let's hope Celtic do the business and they'll be a stronger team with him in it."

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When we last spoke, you were unconvinced by Ronny Deila. What have you made of the way that he has sent Celtic out to play in the Europa League?

"Points-wise, Celtic have done okay. I said earlier that not beating Astra away was a big disappointment with the way the other game went with Zagreb beating Salzburg but in all fairness domestically I don't think Celtic are playing great, yet they are finding ways to win games. They have won five on the spin or something like that, but you know they can't afford to rock up in the Europa league against a team like Salzburg and not be on their game. I think Celtic have good players in the team and when they all gel Celtic can give anybody a good game and go far in this competition.

"They have got a lot of international players and it would help if they go through and get Guidetti back. I still think they need to tighten up at the back because they give away too many chances and they look vulnerable, but if they can get that right they've got a good goalkeeper in Craig Gordon - he's been tremendous so far in this competition. As I say, fingers crossed Celtic can get the job done [against Salzburg] because they won't want to be going to Croatia [needing a result], that would be tricky."

BT Sport has live coverage of UEFA Europa League games throughout the group stages and beyond, as well live coverage of 4 SPFL games before the end of December, including Dundee Utd vs Celtic on December 5. Visit BT Sport.com for more information.