Queen’s Park vs Celtic predictions, betting tips and match preview. Queen’s Park hosts Scottish Premiership champions Celtic at The City Stadium on Wednesday, aiming for their first pre-season win. Read on for our free predictions and tips.
Club Friendlies | Jul 10, 2024 at 7.45pm UK at The City Stadium
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Queen’s Park vs Celtic Predictions
Can Queen’s Park Challenge Celtic’s Pre-Season Dominance?
Key Stats
– Celtic averaged 2.5 goals per game in the Scottish Premiership last season.
– Queen’s Park narrowly avoided relegation with a late-season surge.
– Kyogo Furuhashi has been Celtic’s standout performer in pre-season, showcasing his scoring prowess.
Queen’s Park are set to host Scottish Premiership champions Celtic in a pre-season friendly at The City Stadium. This match represents an important opportunity for both teams to gauge their readiness for the upcoming season. The Spiders narrowly avoided relegation to Scotland’s third tier last term, while the Bhoys clinched the top-tier crown by outperforming their arch-rivals Rangers. The match will serve as a litmus test for the players and the strategies that both managers intend to employ moving forward.
Match Preview
Celtic’s Pre-Season Preparations
Celtic’s pre-season journey continues with a fixture against second-tier Queen’s Park. This encounter follows a recent draw against Ayr United, where the Premiership champions were held to a 1-1 stalemate. In that match, Kyogo Furuhashi scored from the penalty spot, showcasing his clinical finishing, but Ayr United managed to level the game, highlighting potential defensive frailties in Celtic’s setup.
Brendan Rodgers’ side will face Queen’s Park before embarking on a tour of the United States, where they will play against MLS side DC United, Premier League giants Manchester City, and Chelsea. These fixtures are crucial for the team to build momentum ahead of their season opener against Kilmarnock on August 4.
Queen’s Park’s Recent Form
Queen’s Park had a challenging season in the Scottish Championship, finishing eighth, just one point clear of the relegation playoff spot. Their season was marked by inconsistent performances, but a strong finish, including a 5-0 victory over Arbroath, secured their status in the second tier. Their pre-season began with a goalless draw against East Fife, indicating that they are still finding their rhythm.
Ruari Paton was the standout player for Queen’s Park last season, scoring 17 goals in 36 appearances. His performance against Celtic will be crucial if the Spiders are to mount a serious challenge.
Team Analysis
Celtic
Celtic’s squad is rich with talent, and the pre-season fixtures are an opportunity for fringe players to impress. Goalkeeper Scott Bain is expected to start, with a backline comprising Dede, Stephen Welsh, Yuki Kobayashi, and Tomoki Iwata. In midfield, Ewan Henderson, Marco Tilio, and David Turnbull will provide creativity and stability, while Kyogo Furuhashi will spearhead the attack.
Expected Lineup: Bain; Dede, Welsh, Kobayashi, Tomoki; Ure, Holm, Kuhn, Lawal; Kyogo
Queen’s Park
Queen’s Park will rely heavily on their star forward Ruari Paton, while new signing Josh Hinds could make his debut. Callum Ferrie is expected to start in goal, with a defensive line featuring Mauchin, Jack Scott, Charlie Fox, and Tommy Robson. In midfield, they will look to dominate possession with the likes of Grant Savoury and Dom Thomas.
Expected Lineup: Ferrie; Mauchin, J Scott, Reid, Fox; Turner, Connolly, Thomas, T Scott; Paton, McCormick
Key Areas and Duels
The midfield battle will be pivotal, with Celtic’s dynamic midfielders facing Queen’s Park’s resilient core. Kyogo Furuhashi’s movement and finishing will test Queen’s Park’s defence, particularly against the experienced Charlie Fox. Additionally, the wing play of Dede and Kuhn for Celtic will be crucial in stretching the Queen’s Park defence and creating opportunities.
Gameplay Expectations
Celtic are expected to dominate possession and create numerous scoring chances. Their high pressing and quick transitions are likely to put Queen’s Park on the back foot. Queen’s Park, conversely, may adopt a more conservative approach, focusing on counter-attacks and set pieces to exploit any gaps in Celtic’s defence.
Improvements and Strategies
Celtic Celtic need to enhance their defensive organisation, especially against set pieces, as evidenced by their recent draw against Ayr United. They also need to be more clinical in front of goal, converting their chances to avoid any potential upsets.
Queen’s Park Queen’s Park should focus on tightening their defence and improving their ball retention under pressure. Their midfield must be more cohesive to support both defensive and offensive transitions effectively.
Managerial Critique
Brendan Rodgers Rodgers’ tenure at Celtic has been marked by domestic success, but his tactical decisions sometimes invite criticism. His tendency to rely heavily on a core group of players can lead to fatigue and inconsistency. He needs to rotate his squad more effectively and ensure that his defensive setup is robust enough to withstand high-pressure situations.
Callum Davidson Davidson’s management of Queen’s Park has been underwhelming, particularly in their inconsistent performances last season. His tactical rigidity and reluctance to adapt during matches have often left the team exposed. He must develop a more flexible approach and instil a greater sense of resilience within his squad.
Expected Goals Analysis
Celtic Celtic have been prolific in front of goal, averaging 2.5 goals per game last season. Their ability to create high-quality chances is reflected in their average of 19.9 shots per game, with 7.6 on target. Their expected goals (xG) figures are consistently high, showcasing their offensive potency.
Queen’s Park Queen’s Park’s goal-scoring record has been less impressive, with their struggles in the Championship last season highlighting their need for more clinical finishing. Their xG figures suggest a team that creates chances but often fails to convert them efficiently.
Betting Angles
Best Bet: Celtic -2 to Win Given Celtic’s superior squad depth and attacking prowess, they are expected to win convincingly. A -2 handicap for Celtic reflects their potential to dominate the game and score multiple goals against a defensively vulnerable Queen’s Park side.
Correct Score Prediction: Celtic 4-0 Queen’s Park Considering Celtic’s attacking strength and Queen’s Park’s defensive frailties, a 4-0 victory for Celtic is a likely outcome. This prediction aligns with Celtic’s average goals per game and their ability to create numerous scoring opportunities.
Goalscorer Prediction: Kyogo Furuhashi to Score Kyogo Furuhashi, who has shown his goal-scoring ability in pre-season, is expected to find the net. His positioning and finishing skills make him a prime candidate to score, especially against lower-tier opposition.
First Half Result: Celtic to Lead at Half Time Celtic’s aggressive start and Queen’s Park’s tendency to concede early suggest that the Bhoys will be leading at half-time. This prediction is supported by Celtic’s high possession and early pressing.
Innovative Market: Total Shots on Target Over 10 Given Celtic’s average of 19.9 shots per game, a match with more than 10 shots on target is plausible. Both teams are likely to take numerous shots, with Celtic’s dominance and Queen’s Park’s counter-attacks contributing to this total.
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