Saturday 3rd November 1500hrs Celtic v Hearts Football – Scotland – Scottish Premiership It’s déjà vu for these two who meet for the second time inside a week having clashed in the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup last Sunday. Not only that, it’s the end of a busy six days for both clubs who have also played in the league on Wednesday evening and as ever in Scottish football, there has been plenty of incident along the way. No matter what happens on Saturday, the visitors will remain top of the table but their opponents are snapping furiously at their heels. Continue reading for a match preview of Celtic against Hearts with a best bet selected.
Celtic were under pressure from many quarters earlier in the season and there were suggestions that the good times under Brendan Rodgers were coming to an end and even some speculation that he could even depart. Now in the first week of November and the last month has been much more like it, even though there is still some way to go. The champions 5-0 win over Dundee on Wednesday was their fourth consecutive win in the league – the first time they have achieved that this calendar year. It was a performance reminiscent of their all-conquering ‘Invincible’ campaign with Tom Rogic leading the charge. Considering it came on the back of their win over Hearts at Murrayfield – securing their third straight appearance in the League Cup final – then it’s been a very successful week thus far and they’ll be looking to finish it off with another win against that opponent in front of their own fans. The Hoops also have the little matter of a must win game against RB Leipzig next Thursday but the expectation is Rodgers will field a full strength team for the league encounter as they bid to cut the gap at the top of the league to one point.
Hearts never seem too far away from controversy and this past week has certainly contained plenty of that – both off and on the field. Craig Levein’s men had to sit and suffer in what was a much anticipated semi-final but in truth, his team never really turned up and were well beaten on the day. The loss came at further cost as captain – and arguably best player – Steven Naismith went off injured in the opening stages before Steven MacLean was retrospectively charged and banned for an incident with Eboue Kouassi. MacLean subsequently missed out on Wednesday’s Edinburgh derby which ended in a goalless draw with most of the action taking place off the field. Neil Lennon was struck with a coin from the Hearts support whilst the Tynecastle club’s keeper was struck by a Hibs fan. It was ugly scenes and there will be sanctions for both clubs, you feel. The draw means that Hearts now hold a four-point lead over Celtic having played a game more. MacLean will return to the fold for Saturday’s match and he will add a threat as well as a physical presence but Levein will have to rethink his tactics and ensure his team are more threatening as a whole compared to last week.
Celtic v Hearts Betting Tip
Last Sunday’s game took a while to get going but once the first goal went in there was only ever going to be one winner and Celtic powered clear in the second half. If it wasn’t for some poor finishing, excellent goal keeping and some fortune on Hearts’ side of things, the score could have been much more emphatic. Although Hearts defeated Celtic in the league back in August they set up rather fearing the current champions and if they are to get something out of Saturday’s game there has to be much more belief. For Celtic it’s all about continuing their excellent domestic form which has been extended to six games in which they have scored 20 goals and conceded only two. European results and performance have not been great during that time but there’s no doubt they have their swagger back in Scotland.
Celtic have a great record at home to Hearts, unbeaten in their last 10 meetings and winning nine of those. Whilst the visitors are able to compete when this fixture is played at Tynecastle they have a long-standing problem at Celtic Park and I can see that continuing on Saturday. The champions are in menacing form just now and they can wreak further havoc on this Hearts defence just as they did last week. For the visitors they are seriously missing their injured players at the moment, particularly in the attacking positions with most of their goals currently sitting on the side lines. Celtic have kept five clean sheets on their way to victory in the league this term and they can make it six on Saturday.
Selection: Celtic to win to nil 7/8 @ Unibet
