Celtic can clinch the Scottish Premiership title by defeating Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday, potentially moving the Hoops nine points clear of Rangers if the Ibrox club loses to St. Johnstone on Sunday with kickoff at 2 pm.
In the fifth Old Firm derby of the season, Glasgow neighbors Celtic and Rangers played out a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park. Early in the match, Jota gave the Hoops a 21st-minute lead, but the visitors put their hosts under a lot of pressure and eventually equalized through Fashion Sakala in the second half.
That draw meant that Celtic extended their unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership to 29 games, as they put themselves on course to regain the title from their Old Firm rivals.
Postecoglou’s team are unbeaten at home this year, winning 14 and drawing three times in 17 matches, during which time they have scored 45 goals and conceded only five. This makes them strong favorites to win this weekend’s match.
Hearts have been playing brilliantly recently, but they were bitterly disappointed to end up with a goalless draw against Ross County last time out.
The Jambos created 17 chances in the attacking third of the pitch but unfortunately failed to find the back of the net for the first time since February—concerning before their trip to face a side with the best defensive record in the league.
Celtic vs. Hearts Head to Head
Both sides have 55 games against each other, with hosts taking 42 wins while visitors with eight wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Celtic 1-1 Rangers
- Ross County 0-2 Celtic
- Celtic 1-2 Rangers
- Celtic 7-0 St. Johnstone
- Rangers 1-2 Celtic
Away
- Hearts 0-0 Ross County
- Dundee United 2-3 Hearts
- Hearts 2-1 Midlothian
- Hearts 3-1 Hibernian
- Ross County 1-1 Hearts
Celtic Team News
Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic is expected to miss this weekend’s clash after picking up an injury against Rangers last time out. Head coach Postecoglou is likely to name an unchanged starting 11 from last week, with Jota, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Daizen Maeda leading the hosts in a 4-3-3 formation.
Hearts Team News
Hearts’ injury list is lengthy, with Beni Baningime, Craig Halkett, John Souttar, and Michael Smith ruling out this weekend’s match.
Prediction and Odds
The Hoops will be keen to secure their second Premiership title in a row as soon as possible, and a win this weekend would all but do that for them.
- Celtic Win
- Goals Under 3.5
- No Score: Away
