St Johnstone vs Celtic Predictions

St Johnstone vs Celtic predictions for Saturday’s Scottish Premiership clash. Tenth-placed St Johnstone will host Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic at McDiarmid Park on Saturday, aiming to cause an upset against the visiting favourites. Read on for our free SPL predictions and betting tips.

Scottish Premiership | Sep 28, 2024 at 5.45pm UK at McDiarmid Park

St Johnstone vs Celtic Predictions

Can St Johnstone Halt Celtic’s Unstoppable Run This Saturday?

• Celtic’s Unbreachable Defence: Celtic have kept clean sheets in all five of their Premiership matches this season. With an average of 17.4 tackles and nine interceptions per game, their defensive unit has been instrumental in shutting out opponents, making them the only team yet to concede a goal in the league.
• St Johnstone’s Disciplinary Dilemmas: The Saints have received three red cards already this season, highlighting disciplinary issues that could cost them dearly against a formidable Celtic side. Their average of 13.2 fouls per game indicates a tendency to concede dangerous set-pieces, which Celtic are adept at exploiting.
• Callum McGregor’s Scoring Streak: Celtic’s midfielder Callum McGregor has scored in three of his last four league appearances. His contributions from midfield add an extra layer to Celtic’s attacking threat, making them even more challenging to defend against.

Our Tips

Tenth-placed St Johnstone are gearing up to host league leaders Celtic at McDiarmid Park this Saturday in a Scottish Premiership clash that could have significant ramifications for both sides. The Saints are desperate to reverse their fortunes after a string of disappointing results, while Celtic aim to extend their flawless start to the season. With St Johnstone currently without a permanent manager following Craig Levein’s departure, interim boss Andy Kirk faces a monumental task against a Celtic side in imperious form.

St Johnstone have struggled defensively this season, conceding 11 goals in six league matches, an average of 1.8 goals against per game. Their recent 3-3 draw with Ross County highlighted both their attacking potential and defensive vulnerabilities. Despite leading 3-1 with less than ten minutes to go, they couldn’t secure the win, extending their winless run to five matches. The Saints’ offensive efforts have been moderate, netting eight goals, but they face an uphill battle against a Celtic defence yet to concede in the league.

Celtic, under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers since July 2023, have been nothing short of exceptional. Winning all five of their Premiership matches, they’ve scored 14 goals without reply, showcasing a perfect blend of attacking flair and defensive solidity. Key players like Callum McGregor have been instrumental, with the midfielder scoring three goals in his last four league appearances. The Hoops dominate possession with an average of 71.4% and boast an impressive pass accuracy of 88%, underlining their control in matches.

Best Bet: Celtic to Win with a -2 Handicap

Considering the contrasting forms and statistics of both teams, backing Celtic to win with a -2 handicap emerges as the most compelling wager for this encounter.

Celtic’s attacking prowess is evident, averaging 2.8 goals per game and creating over five big chances per match. They’ve demonstrated versatility in scoring, with goals coming from both inside and outside the box—nine from inside and five from outside. Their ability to find the net through various means, including left-footed, right-footed, and headed goals, makes them a nightmare for any defence.

Defensively, Celtic have been impenetrable. They’ve kept clean sheets in all five league matches, with their defensive unit averaging 17.4 tackles and nine interceptions per game. The goalkeeper has had relatively little to do, averaging just 1.8 saves per game, a testament to the team’s overall defensive organisation.

On the other hand, St Johnstone’s defence has been porous. Conceding an average of 1.8 goals per game and managing only one clean sheet, they’ve struggled to contain opposition attacks. Their disciplinary record is also a concern, with three red cards already this season. Offensively, they’ve missed 0.7 big chances per game and hold a possession rate of just 52.7%, suggesting they’ll find it difficult to impose themselves against Celtic’s high-pressing style.

BettingTips4You.com expert Herrin Kendrick observes:

“Celtic’s relentless momentum and St Johnstone’s defensive frailties point towards a dominant performance from the Hoops. Backing Celtic with a -2 handicap not only offers value but aligns perfectly with the statistical disparities between the teams.”

Historically, Celtic have dominated this fixture, remaining unbeaten in their last 29 meetings with St Johnstone, winning 25 of them. Given their current form and the Saints’ struggles, a comfortable win for Celtic seems highly probable.

Correct Score Prediction: St Johnstone 0-4 Celtic

A 4-0 victory for Celtic aligns with both teams’ current form and statistical trends.

Celtic’s average of 2.8 goals per game, coupled with St Johnstone’s defensive record, suggests a high-scoring affair in favour of the visitors. The Hoops have been efficient in front of goal, with a total of 14 goals in five matches. Their offensive metrics—20.8 shots per game and 7.6 shots on target—indicate they’re likely to create and convert multiple scoring opportunities.

St Johnstone have failed to score in three of their last five games against Premiership opposition, and facing a Celtic defence yet to concede, the likelihood of them finding the net appears slim. Celtic’s dominance in possession and disciplined defensive structure make it challenging for opponents to create meaningful chances.

Therefore, predicting a 4-0 win for Celtic not only reflects the statistical evidence but also the performances both teams have displayed so far this season.

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