Celtic face Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday night for the second time in five days with the two teams having played out a goalless draw last weekend.

The Hoops remain 21 points behind rivals Rangers at the top of the table, while the Lions sit 16 points behind Neil Lennon's side in fifth place, having played a game more.

Match preview

Celtic were left frustrated once again as an in-form Livingston side fought hard to earn a deserved point at Parkhead.

First-team coach Gavin Strachan was again in charge of a depleted Celtic side, as Neil Lennon and 13 players remained in self-isolation as they were all deemed close contacts of the injured Christopher Jullien, who contracted coronavirus after returning from a training camp in Dubai.

However, Strachan did reveal that the club are likely to welcome back all those who have self-isolated this week in preparation for Wednesday's match.

The Hoops, who have failed to win any of their last three league games, cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to have any chance of closing in on Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Their task in midweek remains a difficult one, however, as they face a Livingston outfit who they have failed to beat in any of their previous three away matches against them.

Celtic are hoping to secure their seventh top-flight victory away from home and picking up three points would move them 18 points behind the Gers, with two games in hand.

Livingston were unable to extend their impressive winning streak to nine matches in all competitions but they did secure a well-earned point at Celtic Park.

Manager David Martindale found himself in the unusual position of being disappointed that the Lions did not take away all three points. However, he was upbeat that his side remain unbeaten and that they came away with a clean sheet.

Saturday's match was the first under Martindale where Livingston failed to find the back of the net, having scored two or more goals in all six league victories prior to their trip to Celtic.

Confidence is high with the Lions at present and they will fancy their chances once again against the Hoops, even if Lennon is able to name a full-strength side.

Victory on Wednesday would be their first against Celtic since October 2019 and could move them five points behind Hibernian in fourth place.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form: WWWWWD
Livingston form (all competitions): WWWWWD

Celtic Scottish Premiership form: WWWLDD

Team News

Livingston remain without Alan Lithgow (ankle) and Keaghan Jacobs (foot), who are both nursing injuries.

Defender Jack Fitzwater, who was an unused substitute against the Hoops last weekend, could come back into the starting lineup at the expense of former Celtic man Efe Ambrose.

Celtic are expected to make changes if any of the 13 players that have been self-isolating are deemed fit to play.

Kristoffer Ajer, Scott Brown, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Odsonne Edouard could be four players who are brought into Neil Lennon's starting lineup.

Lennon confirmed on Monday that another player has tested positive for coronavirus, although the player's identity has yet to be revealed.

Livingston possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Devlin, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Brown; Bartley, Holt; Mullin, Pittman, Forrest; Robinson

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hazard; Frimpong, Ajer, Bitton, Laxalt; Brown, McGregor; Turnbull, Rogic, Elyounoussi; Edouard

We say: Livingston 1-1 Celtic

Celtic will hope to claw back two points on Rangers, who drew last weekend, with a victory on Wednesday night. However, Livingston are a team in good form and have been difficult to break down in recent weeks. Even though the Hoops could field a stronger side, they may have to settle for another draw in midweek.

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