Celtic vs Hearts predictions for Saturday’s Scottish Premiership affair. Celtic aims to solidify their Scottish Premiership lead after a recent loss. They host Hearts at Celtic Park on Saturday in pursuit of a victory. Will they succeed? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Saturday, 16th December at 3:00 pm In:
Celtic vs Hearts Predictions
[wptb id="390229" not found ]Celtic Eyeing a Strong Response against Hearts in Premiership Showdown
Key Stats
– Hearts have a relatively lower xG rate, highlighting their need for more clinical finishing.
– Kyogo Furuhashi has been a key player for Celtic, contributing significantly to their goal tally.
Celtic Park is set for an enthralling Scottish Premiership fixture as Celtic, the defending champions, aim to consolidate their league position against Hearts. Despite a recent setback, Celtic’s morale-boosting victory in the Champions League positions them as favourites in this encounter.
Our Suggested Best Value Bet For This Match
BEST VALUE BET £20 Returns £35   Odds corrects at time of posting and subject to change |
Best Value Bet Rationale
Firstly, Celtic’s overall performance this season has been dominant, especially at home. They have amassed 42 points in their opening 16 matches, with a high goal tally and a strong defensive record, conceding only 10 goals. Their ability to score in abundance is further highlighted by their recent triumphs over St Johnstone and Hibernian, where they netted 3-1 and 4-1 victories respectively.
Moreover, despite a shock defeat against Kilmarnock, Celtic’s resilience was on full display in their last-minute win over Feyenoord, demonstrating their capability to bounce back and maintain a winning mentality. With players like Matt O’Riley, who has netted a joint-league-high tally of nine Premiership goals, and Kyogo Furuhashi, who is consistently finding the back of the net, Celtic’s attacking prowess is formidable.
On the other hand, Hearts have been struggling, particularly in their offensive play, with only 15 goals scored in their 16 outings. They are also coming off two consecutive defeats and have historically found it challenging to hold off Celtic, especially at Celtic Park.
Given these factors, Celtic’s potential to secure a victory with a margin of two or more goals seems highly plausible. The boosted odds offer additional value, making this bet an attractive proposition for punters looking for a calculated wager with a strong likelihood of success.
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Team Form and Analysis
Celtic’s Comeback Ambition
Celtic, under Brendan Rodgers, has displayed an impressive form this season, barring their recent defeat against Kilmarnock. With a formidable goal-scoring record and a solid defence, the Glasgow giants are formidable at their home ground. Despite missing key players like Reo Hatate, Liel Abada, and Daizen Maeda due to injuries, the team’s depth is notable. Players like Michael Johnston, Luis Palma, and the prolific Kyogo Furuhashi are expected to lead the attack.
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Hearts’ Challenge Conversely, Hearts, stationed at sixth in the league, face an uphill battle. They have shown a lack of attacking prowess and have recently succumbed to defeats against Rangers and Aberdeen. Key players like Lawrence Shankland and Kenneth Vargas will be crucial for Hearts to pose any significant threat to Celtic.
Tactical Analysis Celtic’s gameplay is expected to be aggressive and front-footed, exploiting Hearts’ defensive vulnerabilities. Hearts, on the other hand, might focus on counter-attacks, relying on Shankland and Vargas for goals.
Improvement Suggestions Celtic needs to work on converting their chances more efficiently, while Hearts must improve their attacking output to pose a real threat.
Managerial Analysis Rodgers’ tactical acumen gives Celtic an edge, but he faces criticism for their recent inconsistency. Hearts’ Steven Naismith needs to devise a solid plan to counter Celtic’s offensive might.
Expected Goals (xG) Analysis Celtic’s high xG rate is indicative of their scoring capabilities, while Hearts need to create more goal-scoring opportunities.
Expected Line-ups Celtic: Hart; A Johnston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor; O’Riley, Iwata, McGregor; M Johnston, Furuhashi, Palma. Hearts: Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Sibbick, Nieuwenhof, Baningime, Denholm, Cochrane; Vargas, Shankland.
Commentary on Line-ups Celtic’s line-up reflects their attacking intent, with Furuhashi spearheading the forward line. Hearts’ formation suggests a more balanced approach, aiming to maintain solidity at the back while exploiting any gaps in Celtic’s defence.
Predictions and Key Battles
1. Match Outcome: Celtic Win Celtic’s strong home record and attacking flair make them the favourites. Despite Hearts’ resilience, Celtic’s quality is expected to prevail.
2. Correct Score: Celtic 3-1 Hearts Given Celtic’s offensive strength and Hearts’ recent defensive woes, a high-scoring game is likely, with Celtic emerging as the clear victors.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Kyogo Furuhashi to Score Furuhashi’s excellent form this season makes him a prime candidate to find the net against Hearts.
4. Corner Prediction: Celtic to Have More Corners Celtic’s attacking style and possession dominance should result in more corners for them.
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