Celtic vs Hearts Predictions

Celtic vs Hearts Predictions for this Scottish Premiership fixture. Celtic, unbeaten in all competitions since March, aim to extend their impressive run in the Scottish Premiership when they host Hearts on Saturday. The Hoops are determined to maintain their dominant form. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Scottish Premiership | Sep 14, 2024 at 3pm UK at Celtic Park

Celtic vs Hearts Predictions

Can Celtic Extend Their Unbeaten Streak or Will Hearts Stage a Surprise?

• Celtic’s Impressive Defence
  • Celtic have conceded just one goal in all competitions this season, maintaining clean sheets in all four of their league matches. With an xGA of only 0.75, the Hoops boast the best defensive record in the league.
• Hearts’ Struggles in Front of Goal
  • Hearts have scored only two goals in seven matches this season, and both were mere consolations. With an xG of 0.5 per game and just 2.8 shots on target, their attack has been underwhelming.
• Celtic’s Attacking Dominance
  • The Hoops are averaging 21.5 shots per game, with 8 on target. This attacking threat has resulted in 15 goals in five matches, making them the most potent side in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Best Bet

Celtic will face off against Hearts in an eagerly awaited Scottish Premiership clash this Saturday, with both teams coming into the game on entirely different trajectories. Celtic, the reigning champions, are unbeaten in all competitions since March and will look to maintain their imperious start to the season. Hearts, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the season after seven matches across all competitions. The gap between the two sides couldn’t be wider, both in terms of form and confidence, making this a challenging fixture for the visitors.

Celtic’s recent performances have been nothing short of exceptional, with their most recent triumph being a resounding 3-0 victory over fierce rivals Rangers. Hearts, on the other hand, are in dismal form, having failed to win any of their matches so far. As the two sides prepare to meet at Celtic Park, all eyes will be on whether Celtic can continue their dominance, and whether Hearts can summon the resilience needed to avoid a thrashing.

Backing Celtic to win by more than two goals seems to be the standout bet in this fixture. The reason for this lies not just in Celtic’s attacking prowess but also in the significant disparity between the two teams. Celtic have won their first five matches of the season across all competitions, scoring 15 goals and conceding just one. Hearts, on the other hand, have managed just two goals in their opening seven fixtures, while shipping seven. The defensive frailties in Hearts’ backline, combined with their inability to score, make this a compelling case for Celtic to cover the -2 handicap.

One of the key statistics that reinforces this bet is Celtic’s xG (expected goals) and xGA (expected goals against). With an xG of 1.99 and an xGA of just 0.75, Celtic are far more efficient both in attack and defence compared to Hearts, whose xG is significantly lower, highlighting their struggles in front of goal. Furthermore, Celtic’s possession stats show they control the game with an average of 71.5% possession, further underlining how difficult it will be for Hearts to have any foothold in the match. Brendan Rodgers’ side have also been prolific in creating chances, with 5.8 big chances per game compared to Hearts’ meagre 1, suggesting that Celtic will have far more opportunities to score.

In terms of personnel, Celtic’s front three—Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Nicolas Kuhn—have been particularly devastating. Their interplay and ability to exploit defensive weaknesses have been critical to Celtic’s attacking success. Maeda, in particular, has been a standout performer, scoring key goals in the early stages of the season, including in the emphatic win against Rangers. With Hearts lacking the defensive discipline needed to cope with Celtic’s pace and movement, it seems very plausible that the Hoops will not just win, but do so comfortably.

Even Hearts’ best player, Lawrence Shankland, has yet to find form this season, and his supporting cast—Yutaro Oda and Kenneth Vargas—have failed to consistently create the chances needed for Hearts to threaten the opposition. Defensively, Hearts are even more vulnerable, with errors leading to goals and two major injuries to contend with, including long-term absentee Calem Nieuwenhof. Given these factors, a comfortable Celtic win by at least a three-goal margin looks highly likely.

As our BettingTips4You.com expert Herrin Kendrick explains:
“Celtic’s superiority in every aspect of the game, combined with Hearts’ inability to score or defend effectively, makes backing Celtic -2 an absolute banker. The Hoops’ form is undeniable, and they’ll relish the opportunity to pile more misery on a struggling Hearts side.”

Correct Score Prediction: Celtic 4-0 Hearts

Given Celtic’s dominant form and Hearts’ woeful start to the season, predicting a 4-0 scoreline in favour of the home side seems realistic. Hearts’ defence has looked fragile, conceding seven goals in their first four league matches, and facing a team with the offensive firepower of Celtic could lead to a severe punishment. Celtic’s average of three goals per game so far this season indicates that they have the capacity to rack up the goals, especially against a weaker opponent.

Moreover, Celtic have been highly efficient in their attacking build-up, creating over 21 shots per game with an impressive 8 on target. Hearts, on the other hand, have only managed 2.8 shots on target per game, suggesting they are unlikely to trouble Celtic’s defence. With their passing accuracy in the opposition half (78.2%) and overall control of possession, Celtic should dominate the game, limiting Hearts’ chances to even get forward.

The choice of a 4-0 scoreline also reflects Celtic’s clean sheet record, as they have not conceded a single goal in their four league matches thus far. Hearts’ attack, led by the out-of-form Shankland, does not pose a significant threat, especially without much support from the flanks. All of these elements combined suggest that a 4-0 outcome is not just possible but highly probable.

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