Ex-Arsenal goalkeeper Vito Mannone expects Celtic to come out on top when the Hoops travel to face FC Copenhagen in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Mannone was part of the Esbjerg side that beat Copenhagen 1-0 on Friday evening, and he expects Neil Lennon‘s team to come away with a result in Denmark later this week:

“It’ll be a tough game because Copenhagen are still one of the best teams in Denmark. They should expect a lot of balls into the box – you know how direct Copenhagen will be. But Celtic are a strong side. I fancy them to go through to the next round.”

“Unfortunately, we had to suffer until the very end but hopefully, it won’t be like that for Celtic. European games are always tough. But Neil Lennon should watch our game. Because away from home at the Parken, it will be like how we played against Copenhagen at home.”

Celtic can’t ask for better form heading into the Europa League last 32 tie. They have not dropped a point this calendar year, and have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

In contrast, Copenhagen have lost their last two matches, with their defeat to Esbjerg having been preceded by a loss to AGF in the Danish Cup.

European ties over two legs don’t always go with the formbook, though, and Celtic will be aware that even if they are favourites to progress to the round of 16, they will have to work very hard for it.