Celtic will be confident of extending their nine-point lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership table when struggling Aberdeen visit Parkhead on Saturday.

Having lost seven of their previous 10 Premiership games, seventh-placed Aberdeen find themselves 38 points behind Celtic, who have won 17 of their last 18 league outings.

Match preview

Celtic booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup with a resounding 5-1 victory over St Mirren last weekend, extending their winning run to eight matches in the process.

Daizen Maeda put the Bhoys ahead against the Saints before Reo Hatate bagged a brace, with Oh Hyeon-gyu and Matt O'Riley completing the scoring late on.

Having progressed in the Scottish Cup, Ange Postecoglou's men can now focus on enhancing their outstanding Premiership record, which consists of 23 wins, one draw and one loss this season.

Since suffering a shock defeat to St Mirren back in September, Celtic have taken 52 points from a possible 54, with last month's 2-2 draw against Rangers briefly halting the club's lengthy winning streak.

Not only have Celtic scored 78 goals in 25 league matches this term, but they have also conceded just 18, meaning that the reigning champions are firmly on course to defend their crown.

Aberdeen picked up only their second victory in 10 Premiership games last time out, claiming a 3-1 win against Motherwell thanks to a second-half brace from Bojan Miovski.

Following a run of eight defeats in 10 matches across all competitions, the Dons sacked manager Jim Goodwin after a humiliating 6-0 loss to Hibernian, leaving Barry Robson to take the reins on an interim basis.

Robson looks set to remain in the dugout for Saturday's clash with Celtic, but the Pittodrie club are expected to make a permanent appointment in the near future.

In truth, Goodwin can have no complaints about losing his job, as Aberdeen have the worst defensive record in the division, as well as the second-worst away record.

The Dons have won just two of their 12 away league games this season and have lost each of their previous six, so they look destined to struggle at Celtic Park.

Team News

Postecoglou made just one change to his starting XI for last weekend's Scottish Cup win over St Mirren, with David Turnbull replacing Aaron Mooy in midfield.

The Celtic manager is expected to name a full-strength side once again this weekend, with Kyogo Furuhashi – who has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season – leading the line.

Midfielder James McCarthy has been limited to just 62 minutes of first-team action this season and looks set to be absent from Celtic's matchday squad on Saturday.

Aberdeen have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of the trip to Parkhead, meaning that Robson is likely to stick with the same starting XI that beat Motherwell last time out.

After scoring twice against the Steelmen, Bojan Miovski will partner Duk in attack, while Ylber Ramadani will anchor the midfield, having started every league game for the Dons this term.

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; Mooy, McGregor, Hatate; Jota, Furuhashi, Maeda

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Gorter; Pollock, MacDonald, Scales; Kennedy, Ramadani, Clarkson, Shinnie, Hayes; Miovski, Duk

We say: Celtic 4-0 Aberdeen

Having netted 78 goals in 25 league games this season, Celtic should secure another high-scoring victory over Aberdeen, who have the worst defensive record in the division.

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