Celtic to win to nil in Kilmarnock vs Celtic Tips Scottish Premiership 22 January

Killie may struggle to break down leaders Celtic

Alex Bruce /Kilmarnock ©imago images / Action Plus 22.01.2020

Kilmarnock v Celtic
22 January 1945hrs
Football – Scotland –Premiership
Pick Celtic to win to nil
Bookmaker 888sport
Odds: 23/25 odds taken at 1215 GMT, Tuesday 21 January

The Scottish Premiership is back after a brief interlude with champions Celtic travelling to Rugby Park to take on Kilmarnock.

Scottish Premiership Betting at Bet365

Kilmarnock Preview – Killie hoping for better luck in 2020

Unlike a number of their Premiership rivals, Kilmarnock opted to stay at home during the winter break. Alex Dyer has been appointed as head coach until the end of the season following the sacking of Angelo Alessio but needs to make an immediate impact with a team that has been on a downward spiral for a while.

Dyer had already been in charge at Rugby Park for three matches before his temporary permanent appointment but Killie’s fortunes haven’t improved in the Premiership. They lost all three by the same 1-0 scoreline and haven’t scored in the league since the end of November, though did put six past hapless Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.

Harry Bunn became Dyer’s first signing last week and the new coach has promised that Killie will be busy while the transfer window. Their poor form has seen them slide into the bottom half of the table which is a far cry from the heights reached last season under Steve Clarke.

Nicke Kabambe will be hoping for more game time against the champions having from scored from off the bench against Queen’s Park but Kilmarnock could be without experienced defender Alex Bruce. Chris Burke is usually his side’s best attacking outlet but Celtic will be keeping a close eye on the former Rangers and Birmingham winger.

Though Saturday’s big cup win ended the goal drought, can Killie maintain their momentum back against Premiership opposition?

Our betting prediction:
Under 0.5 Kilmarnock Goals
3/4

Bet at 888sport

(Odds taken at 1215 GMT, Tuesday 21 January)

Jeremie Frimpong celebrates after scoring the opening goal for Celtic against Hearts – ActionPlus12196624 Alan Rennie

Celtic Preview – Lennon’s men aiming to get back on track following Old Firm setback

Celtic still top the table at the start of the New Year, but are only two points ahead of Rangers and have played a game more.

Jozo Simunovic returned to action in their defeat of Patrick Thistle in the Scottish Cup at the weekend following a long injury lay-off but is unlikely to start back-to-back matches. Jonny Hayes is also back in the matchday squad but Mo Elyounoussi and Hatem Abd Elhamed will be absentees again while Ryan Christie is set to miss the trip to Rugby Park due to the two-game suspension he picked up in the Old Firm derby.

Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo and James Forrest are likely to return against Killie and Mikey Johnston looks sure to start again while Elyounoussi and Christie are indisposed. Tom Rogic is another likely to keep his place in the Celtic attack, despite Leigh Griffiths champing at the bit again.

Celtic’s players enjoyed a midweek break in Dubai following their defeat by Rangers but will be aware that it was at Kilmarnock that their arch-rivals came unstuck last year following the winter break.

The Hoops have won seven of their last eight away matches in all competitions but have not scored by than two goals in any of their last nine games and their last three wins have only been achieved by a one-goal margin. Neil Lennon will be hoping that Polish striker Patryk Klimala, and eventually Ismaila Soro, can increase their goal tally but the former will not be ready to play at Rugby Park and the latter, at the time of writing, has still to officially put pen to paper.

Celtic have won their last four matches against Kilmarnock, conceding only two goals. Six of the last nine meetings have produced fewer that three goals.

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Kilmarnock vs Celtic Betting Advice

Trends – Kilmarnock vs Celtic Betting Tips

  • Celtic’s last three wins have only been achieved by a one-goal margin
  • Celtic have won seven of their last eight away matches
  • Kilmarnock haven’t scored a goal in the Premiership since the end of November
  • Kilmarnock have lost their last three Premiership matches 1-0

Alex Dyer’s reign as Kilmarnock coach got off to an inauspicious start but last weekend’s drubbing of Queen’s Park should have lifted the mood. Celtic’s defence will not be as generous, however, and Killie’s goal drought may well be extended in the Premiership.

Celtic Clean Sheet

Yes 4/6
No 11/10

Bet at Bet365

The best betting odds for Kilmarnock vs Celtic

Player
Kilmarnock 9/1 12/1 9/1
Celtic 3/10 1/4 3/10
Draw 21/5 9/2 4/1