Hamilton vs Celtic
2nd February 1230hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Celtic win and over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Coral
Odds: 4/7 odds taken 1200 GMT, Friday 31 January
These teams come into the game looking for points for very different reasons. Hamilton sit just a point above bottom place whilst Celtic are hoping to take another step towards a ninth successive title.
Table of Contents
Hamilton Preview – Are Accies capable or surprising champions?
Hamilton have been in the headlines this week with manager Brian Rice being banned by the Scottish FA following breaching betting regulations. Rice will serve the first of a five game suspension on Sunday as his team faces league leaders Celtic.
Hamilton sit second bottom of the Scottish Premiership and are now just a point above what could be a resurgent Hearts. Should the Tynecastle club prevail away to St Johnstone on Saturday it means Accies could well be bottom before kicking off against Celtic.
This is nothing new for Hamilton who who are continually tipped to be relegated season after season. They also continue to defy those predictions and will hope to do the same again. Rice’s team are yet to pick up a point in 2020, though, having lost to Hibernian and Livingston since the winter break.
The frustrating thing for Hamilton is that they have taken the lead in both games without being able to hold on. Should they get in front against Celtic they will simply have to defend much better than they have managed so far this year.
Celtic Preview – Can leaders Celtic maintain points gap at the top of the table?
Celtic have returned from the winter break in good form with three wins from three matches and scoring nine goals in the process. Ironically enough, their biggest challenge has come against Ross County which is the only home game of the year. Their away victories against Kilmarnock and St Johnstone have been powerful displays full of attacking intent.
The switch to playing with two strikers in these games has been a big asset. Odsonne Edouard is top scorer in the league whilst Leigh Griffiths has scored in both away matches as he looks to rediscover his form of old. Their link-up play and combinations are improving with every game and giving opposition teams something else to think about.
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With Rangers losing away to Hearts last weekend it means Celtic are five clear at the top but having played a game more. Essentially it cancels out the Ibrox club’s win in the derby immediately before the winter break but they can cut it to two points before this game should Rangers defeat win at home to Aberdeen on Saturday.
This is going to be the way of it in the title race for the remainder of the season as there has been little between the top two throughout the whole campaign.
Hamilton vs Celtic Betting Advice
The teams have met twice already this season and it’s Celtic who have come out on top on both occasions. But both wins have been by one goal margins. The Hoops won 1-0 at this venue back in September and had to rely on a last-minute winner from Scott Brown at Celtic Park in early December.
Key Facts – Hamilton vs Celtic Betting Tip
- Hamilton have lost five of their last seven home games and are yet to get a point in their two league games this year
- Celtic have returned strongly from the winter break winning all three matches scoring nine goals
- The Hoops have won both games against Hamilton this season, 1-0 and 2-1
Celtic should take all three points here on all known form and I expect them to do so. With short odds on the away win my suggestion for a betting tip in this match is Celtic to win and at least three goals in the game. This is bet that has won in seven of Celtic’s last nine domestic away fixtures.
The best betting odds for Hamilton vs Celtic
Hamilton to win: 20/1 at Bet365
Draw: 7/1 at Bet365
Celtic to win: 1/8 at Bet365
