Celtic v Hibernian
Wednesday 6th February 1945hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Celtic to score in both halves
Bookmaker William Hill
Odds: 5/6 (odds taken 19.00 GMT, Tuesday 5th February)
2019 has been a contrast of fortunes for these two clubs but matches between them are usually full of excitement. Continue reading for a match preview and betting advice for Celtic versus Hibernian on Wednesday in the Scottish Premiership.
Premiership Betting at William Hill
Celtic Preview
Celtic secured a very important three points at the weekend when away to St Johnstone and cemented their place at the top of the table. Brendan Rodgers men were put under pressure with rivals winning the previous day and visits to Perth are usually always a test, and Sunday was again. Two late goals from James Forrest and Timo Weah secured the win but it came at a cost with a number of injuries and also the late sending off of Kris Ajer meaning Rodgers will have a selection headache heading into tomorrow’s game. It’s a return to Celtic Park though, a ground where the Hoops have been so dominant all season. AEK Athens and Salzburg are the only two visiting teams who have been able to leave with a result from 21 matches. In the league that equates to 12 wins from as many games and averaging just less than three goals scored per game. The champions have also yet to concede a goal this calendar year – winning all five matches, scoring 14 goals in the process. With their two main rivals in the title race clashing at the same time it promises to be another important evening in the Scottish season, but Rodgers will be demanding his players focus only on the task at hand and gaining another three points in their bid for an eighth successive title.
Key-Facts – Celtic v Hibernian
- Celtic have won all of their 12 home games in the league this season
- The Hoops have scored in both halves in eight of those 12 games
- Hibs are still on the search for a new manager and are in danger of finishing outside the top six
Hibernian Preview
Hibs have been making plenty of headlines so far this year – but all for the wrong reasons. The Easter Road club have parted ways with manager Neil Lennon and with Eddie May in caretaker charge, the issues on the field are very much still apparent. It’s a Hibs team who look to have had everything they possibly can squeezed out of them and in need of some assistance. As predicted in my weekend preview of their game with Aberdeen, the visitors were simply too strong and savvy for Hibs who have now went four home games without a win and a finish in the top six is looking extremely unlikely at this stage. The search for a new manager goes on but May will be in charge of the team on Wednesday against the leaders. That would usually be another cause for concern for a team who are in a pretty wretched run but Hibs tend to be competitive against Celtic and their biggest highlight of the season so far came in the middle of December when they downed the Hoops 2-0 at home. There’s no doubt they’ll be up against it at Celtic Park, but they will have belief they can cause their hosts some problems.
Celtic v Hibernian Betting Preview
The first meeting at Celtic Park of this campaign was one of the games of the season as Celtic edged their opponents out 4-2. It was the sort of game and challenge Hibs were able to offer Celtic that we had become accustomed to under Lennon so it will be interesting to see how the current regime approach the game tomorrow. Their win over Celtic back in December was also built on a bold counter-attacking tactic which reaped its reward. Celtic were awful in that game, though, and they look to be in a much better stage heading into this one.
With the injuries their opponents are having to contend with, Hibs may feel they can spring a surprise and get a result. The visitors certainly have players capable but they still lack a unity and direction so are definitely making the journey at some disadvantage. For all the injury worries Celtic have they have looked such a force at home in the league and the January signings have bolstered their options in attack. Celtic have scored in both halves in eight of their 12 home games in the league so far and have the firepower to do that to a Hibs team who are currently out of sorts.
