MX23RW : Thursday, December 22 04:05:25| >> :600:215023:215023:
[monks data]
Dec 21, 2022 at 7.45pm UK at Celtic Park
Celtic
2 - 1
Livingston
Obileye (23' og.), Furuhashi (45')
Furuhashi (62'), Bernabei (86')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Devlin (45+2')
Omeonga (47'), Montano (57'), Boyes (77')

Preview: Celtic vs. Livingston - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Livingston, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Since this article was published, this match has been postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Celtic will look to bounce back from Champions League defeat against Real Madrid by maintaining their 100% record at the top of the Scottish Premiership table this weekend.

Livingston are the visitors to Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon, with the Lions currently just inside the bottom half of the table.


Match preview

Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi in action on July 31, 2022© Reuters

After holding out for just over 55 minutes on Tuesday night, Celtic were unable to keep European Champions Real Madrid out for 90 minutes, eventually succumbing to a 3-0 defeat.

With opportunities to amend their matchday one defeat in the Champions League to come, including next week's clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic's attention switches to the Scottish Premiership once again this weekend.

Sitting top of the table with a five-point lead over second-placed Rangers, it has been a perfect start to the campaign for Celtic.

Winners in six of their six Scottish Premiership outings so far, it looks as if Celtic are already emerging as favourites to runaway with the title once more.

Their next league title will take them to 53 in the Scottish Premiership, just two behind record-winners Rangers, who currently hold 55.

For Livingston, a side that first earned promotion into the top flight just four years ago, fighting for league titles is nothing more than a novelty for them.

Regardless, Livingston have enjoyed relative success in the first tier, establishing themselves as Scottish Premiership regulars in their four previous seasons.

It is likely they will be safe from the threat of relegation once against this time around, as a return of nine points from six games has the Lions sitting in mid-table.

Firm favourites to pick up another victory on Saturday, there is little to suggest that Celtic will struggle in achieving that, with the reigning champions unbeaten in eight of their last nine meetings with Livingston.

Granted, Livingston have beaten Celtic in recent memory, taking three points against their Saturday opponents back in September 2021 – just nine days short of a year ago.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Celtic form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • W

Livingston form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • W


Team News

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after the match on September 3, 2022© Reuters

A leg problem is expected to keep Yosuke Ideguchi out of action this weekend, with the midfielder yet to make an appearance so far this season.

Carl Starfelt is out with a knee injury, but the defender should be back before the end of the month for Celtic.

Free-scoring Celtic will likely turn to Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi once more, with the pair having netted 12 goals combined up until now.

For Livingston, Bruce Anderson is missing for the visitors, as the forward continues to recover from an ankle injury.

Similarly, Tom Parkes will not be involved for Livingston, with the defender out with a knee problem.

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Bernabei, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Jota, Furuhashi, Abada

Livingston possible starting lineup:
George; Devlin, Obileye, Kelly, Montano; Holt, Goncalves, Penrice; Omeonga, Nouble, Pittman


SM words green background

We say: Celtic 3-0 Livingston

There are some who believe that Celtic will win every single match this season, such is the form in which they have started the campaign in.

While unlikely, it is difficult to see where Celtic drop points, with another comfortable victory expected on Saturday afternoon.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

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Game History

How you voted: Celtic vs Livingston

Celtic
87.1%
Draw
0.0%
Livingston
12.9%
31
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Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi in action on July 31, 2022
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic17160153143948
2RangersRangers17123240182239
3Aberdeen178183127425
4Hearts167362726124
5St Johnstone177372122-124
6Livingston167271622-623
7St Mirren156361723-621
8Hibernian176292026-620
9Motherwell165292022-217
10Ross County1743101428-1415
11Kilmarnock1743101330-1715
12Dundee UnitedDundee Utd1633101731-1412

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