Hearts vs Celtic
31 July 2000hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Over 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Betvictor
Odds: 4/5 odds taken 2000 GMT, Tuesday 27 July
The Scottish Premiership returns this weekend and the pick of the games sees Hearts return to the Scottish top-flight by taking on Celtic on Saturday night.
Table of Contents
Hearts Preview – Will Hearts make their return to the Scottish Premiership a winning one?
Hearts’ stay away from the Scottish Premiership last only a season and they will be determined to ensure that they remain in this division for good now. Robbie Neilson knows the expectations of this club and whilst most newly promoted clubs will want to consolidate in their first season, Hearts will look to finish in the top six as a minimum. There hasn’t been the frenzied transfer activity that most would have thought so far this summer. Instead, the players who won promotion will be given the opportunity to start the league campaign.
It was a Premiership squad in all but name last season with the likes of Craig Gordon, John Souttar, Peter Haring and Liam Boyce all possessing the quality which will help with the club’s aims of establishing themselves in the top-flight.
Hearts have strolled through the group stages of the League Cup with four straight wins to top their section and qualify for the knockout phase. They done so without conceding a goal but it wasn’t enough to be seeded in the draw and they have been paired with Celtic. That tie will take place in Glasgow next month.
The most impressive performer during the League Cup campaign was teenager Finlay Pollock. The 16 year old midfielder is pushing for his first start in the Premiership and will be full of confidence if he is given the nod after scoring against Stirling Albion last week.
Celtic Preview – Can Celtic get over their European disappointment with a win on the opening day?
Celtic are under new management for this season following a disastrous campaign last time around. Ange Postecoglou was the surprise choice and the Australian is still attempting to shape his squad despite their competitive season starting last week with a 1-1 draw at home to Danish outfit Midtjylland in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. The return leg of that tie is due to take place on Wednesday.
Regardless of the result in that game the pressure will be on Celtic and their new coach to get off to a winning start in the league. A competition they dominated for nine years but were 25 points Rangers last season.
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A number of players have moved on during the season including Scott Brown and Kristofer Ajer. Celtic have been active in the transfer market but the only two who have a chance of playing in this one is Israeli winger Liel Abada and perhaps a debut for Swedish centre half Carl Starfelt.
Odsonne Edouard’s long-term future appears to lie away from Celtic but he is going to be leading the line for the next couple of games. The Frenchman possesses plenty of class and has 64 league goals in four seasons. But he’s been inconsistent for the last year due to the transfer speculation.
Hearts vs Celtic Betting Advice
Celtic have to pick themselves up after a disappointing exit in the Champions League midweek. Hearts will be looking to start fast and ensure they take advantage of any hangover for the visitors. Tynecastle is not the easiest of places to get a result at the best of times but they’ll sense this is a good time to be facing Celtic who are lacking options all over the pitch.
The fact this will be the first time home fans have been at a Scottish Premiership game since 2020 will make it all the more intriguing.
Key Facts – Hearts vs Celtic Betting Tip
- Hearts return to the Premiership having been relegated in 2019/20
- This will be the first league game for Celtic’s new head coach Ange Postecoglou
- The teams will meet again in a fortnight having been drawn together in the League Cup
The last these teams met was in the Scottish Cup final back in December of last year. It finished 3-3 after extra time and with Celtic’s deficiencies there for all to see it could well be another open game. Twelve of the last 13 meetings have had at least three goals and that’s the selection here.
Best Betting Odds for Hearts vs Celtic
