Dundee United v Celtic Betting Preview, 2016-01-15

Celtic should cruise to victory at Tannadice.

Sports Betting Tips

Friday 15th January Kickoff: 1945hrs
Dundee United v Celtic
Football – Scotland – Premiership     

The Scottish action on Friday night see’s Celtic travel to face Dundee United in a match that pits top versus bottom. Despite only just over half the way through the season, there is already 36 points between the two and that’s even with United having played a game extra. Could their be a shock in store at Tannadice?!

It has been a horrendous season for Dundee United thus far and it does not appear to be getting better any time soon. The Arabs are 11 points adrift of second-bottom Kilmarnock, and with only two wins from their first 21 league games, it is hard to envisage United making any real inroads on the team’s above them. The board sought to try and improve the club’s fortunes by making a managerial change back in October as Jackie McNamara was replaced by Mixu Paatelainen. Unfortunately, it has had very little impact and their struggles continue. The former Finland manager – and also an ex-Dundee United player – has won just one league game since taking charge, that success coming at home to Ross County early in his reign. United did record their first win since then when edging past Airdrie in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Although Celtic sit top of the Scottish Premiership, it has been anything but plain sailing for the current champions, this season. Being knocked out both the Champions League and Europa League before Christmas has piled the pressure on manager Ronny Deila, whilst performances in the league have also been uninspiring at times. That said, the Hoops are three points clear with a game in hand and look well on course to win their fifth consecutive league title. With a semi-final in the League Cup to come at the end of this month, as well as comfortably securing their passage to the next round of the Scottish Cup, a domestic treble remains very much on the cards, but does that signify success in the current climate, when there is no real challenge?! That will be a discussion come the end of the season, but it is not unreasonable to presume that Deila may well have to win all three competitions in order to be in a job come next season.

Paatelainen has moved to strengthen the Dundee United squad by bringing in some experienced, well-known faces. Guy Demel and Florent Sinama-Pongolle have been signed, both have whom have played large spells of their career in the English Premier League. They are just two of a host of new faces that have arrived at Tannadice since the transfer window opened but despite being thrown straight into action, it will take time for this new-look team to gel, as evidenced by the derby defeat to rivals Dundee at New Year.

Celtic have yet to make any additions to their squad in January but Deila will be happy to see some of his injured players returning to the fold. The 3-0 win over Stranraer in the Scottish Cup on Sunday also seen a change in formation as he opted to play with two strikers which is a rarity under the Norwegian. Carlton Cole partnered Leigh Griffiths in attack and both got on the scoresheet. Whether or not that will be the way the manager opts to go on Friday remains to be seen, but with Nir Bitton suspended, central midfield options are stretched, at the moment, and it could be another chance for Cole to stake a claim for a more regular spot.

Dundee United v Celtic Betting Tips

This will be the third meeting of the season between these two clubs and it does not make pretty reading for Dundee United. Celtic have already knocked eight past the bottom club, conceding just once. Taking it back even further and Celtic have actually scored 20 goals in the last six games against this opponent – clearly a team they enjoy coming up against.

Safety already looks a distant hope for the home team but one thing they certainly cannot do is give up hope and even games against the leaders provide an opportunity to get some much-needed points. However, when you consider their overall home form (five points from a possible 30) getting anything out of this game looks very unlikely. Celtic, on the hand, have the best away record in the league and average 2.3 goals on their travels. What has been noticeable about Dundee United’s recent performances, is their inability to come back from losing goals or going behind in games. It’s unsurprising there is so much fragility when you take into account the horrific season that United have endured, and I don’t see things improving on Friday.

Celtic may not be on top form, but with Griffiths back in the side they definitely have more of a cutting edge. Cole’s presence is also a positive as he occupies defenders and his physicality will be an issue for a vulnerable United defence. The visitors will simply have too much and I believe it’s a case of how many. They have scored three goals on each of their last two visits and I think they will easily achieve that tally once again.

Celtic to score over 2.5 goals 5/4 @ Boylesports