SM
Barcelona vs. Valencia: 5 hrs 51 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
KL
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 2
Aug 9, 2020 at 4.30pm UK
Rugby Park
CL

Kilmarnock
1 - 1
Celtic

Burke (24' pen.)
Dicker (10'), Power (35')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Christie (11')
Brown (72')

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

:Headline: Preview: Kilmarnock vs. Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:409410: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Scottish Premiership fixture between Kilmarnock and Celtic, including team news and predicted lineups.

Celtic take on Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday afternoon looking to build on a dominant win over Hamilton Academical on matchday one.

Meanwhile, the home side welcome the defending champions to Rugby Park having suffered an opening-day setback at Hibernian.


Match preview

Usually at this time of year, Celtic are distracted in trips across Europe as they bid to earn a place in the Champions League or Europa League.

However, with last season's competition still to reach a conclusion, it has left Neil Lennon to focus on life in Scotland, something which could prove to be the difference when it comes to trying to earn a 10th successive league title.

Five goals and 25 shots against Hamilton suggests that Celtic are already close to their best form, with potentially the toughest task coming behind the scenes as they bid to keep hold of Odsonne Edouard.

There is an inevitability about the Frenchman's eventual exit, but his treble last weekend may be enough to convince all the relevant parties that he should be kept in Glasgow for what could turn out to be an historic campaign.

From Kilmarnock's perspective, Alex Dyer has been left to assess the positive and negatives from succumbing to Hibernian at Easter Road.

Conceding a fifth-minute opener set the tone, and the slow start ultimately proved crucial as they lost out to opponents whom they will regard as rivals for a position in the top six.

With Celtic and Rangers to come in their next four fixtures, it was a defeat which Kilmarnock could ill-afford as they look to give themselves some kind of platform to work from heading into September.

However, Killie have emerged victorious in two of their last four home meetings with Celtic, while also only suffering 1-0 and 3-1 setbacks in the most recent corresponding games.

Although the lack of home fans will not help their cause, Dyer must hope that the recent head-to-head record provides his players with some belief ahead of what may feel like a daunting task.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form: L

Celtic Scottish Premiership form: W


Team News

While Lennon could opt for the same starting lineup, the Northern Irishman has a number of selection dilemmas.

Olivier Ntcham is pushing for a start after only being used as a substitute last weekend, while new arrival Patryk Klimala will hope that his goal on his cameo outing will lead to a first start in Celtic colours.

Recently-signed goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas could also be in line for his full debut in place of Scott Bain.

Dyer will bring goalkeeper Danny Rogers into the starting lineup after on-loan Jake Eastwood suffering a thigh injury.

Clevid Dikamona, who signed for Kilmarnock earlier this week, could be brought into the backline.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Rogers; Millen, Broadfoot, Findlay, Waters; Power, Tshibola; Burke, Kiltie, McKenzie; Kabamba

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Frimpong, Jullien, Ajer, Taylor; Brown, McGregor; Forrest, Christie, Klimala; Edouard


We say: Kilmarnock 1-3 Celtic

Despite Kilmarnock potentially benefitting from getting 90 minutes in their legs, we can only see one winner here. Celtic are yet to begin their European schedule, and that will only play into their favour during the early weeks of the season.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a draw 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.Draw:data


amp_article__409410 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-08-07 16:03:48:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 17:09:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic110082275581
2RangersRangers110074245078
3Hearts101046341263
4Kilmarnock10104334952
5St Mirren10013945-643
6Dundee10014556-1141
Relegation Group
1Hibernian11004752-542
2Aberdeen11003649-1338
3Motherwell10014652-637
4St Johnstone10012549-2431
5Ross County10013258-2630
6Livingston11002459-3521
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .