Livingston v Celtic
Sunday 6th October 1200hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Sportingbet
Odds: 23/17 (odds taken 12.00 GMT, Saturday 5 October)
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11/1 | 49/10 | 23/100 |
* (Betting Odds were taken from 22Bet on October 5, 2019 at 12.00)
Celtic will be looking for the win that will guarantee they are top of the league going into the international break but Livingston have frustrated them before and are a stubborn opponent at home.
Scottish Premiership Betting at Sportingbet
Livingston Preview – Will Livi be able to stifle Celtic again and return to form after three straight defeats?
It’s credit to Gary Holt and his team that although they operate with one of the smallest budgets in this league Livingston were not really considered to be viable candidates for relegation this season. When you take into consideration they lost several key players in the summer it’s even more of a compliment to the job Holt has done. The manager was not happy last week though when his team went down away to Hamilton, losing 2-1. It was Livi’s third defeat in a row following reverses against Aberdeen and Rangers as well as exiting the League Cup to the latter of those teams.
There will be no panic just yet as it has, overall, been a decent start with eight points from seven games. It’s enough to keep them in the top six coming into the weekend but they could find themselves in the bottom half before this match depending on the results of Saturday’s games.
Coming up against the best team’s in Scotland never phases Holt or his Livingston team. The challenge of facing the better sides seems to spur them on as shown by their performances and results. Holt’s men held Celtic to goalless draws on two occasions last season and also defeated Rangers at home in the previous campaign. Their cup showing against Steven Gerrard’s men albeit in defeat indicated they are going to be every bit as competitive this season.
Celtic Preview – Are Lennon’s men going to show their class and stay top of the table?
Last weekend’s draw away to Hibs brought an end to Celtic’s 100% start in this season’s Premiership but they still hold top spot by a point. Neil Lennon’s men will feel they were unfortunate not to get two penalties and a chance to take all three points from that game but they were not at their best throughout. The Celtic boss would have been delighted with how his team responded in their next game when turning in a very mature performance to defeat Cluj 2-0 at home in the Europa League. That victory moved Celtic into top spot in their group and with very realistic chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
Although their six game winning run in the league came to an end last week it’s still been a very encouraging start to the season for Celtic. The pressure is still very much on with Rangers continue to defeat the other teams in the league, though. It’s looking more likely by the week that it’s going to be a shootout between the Glasgow clubs, making Sunday’s trip to Livingston another must win game for the champions.
Key-Facts – Livingston v Celtic
- Livi have lost their last three league games but they tend to save their best for the top teams in Scotland
- Celtic’s 100% league record came to an end last weekend when drawing at Hibs but they responded with a good European win in midweek
- Livingston were able to hold Celtic on two occasions last season and are usually very well organised defensively
Livingston v Celtic Betting Advice
The pitch at Livingston’s home ground is often a leveler when the likes of Celtic come visiting. The plastic surface is not conducive to fast-flowing football and it means the opposition team have to go more direct. This is an approach that Livi defend well against which Celtic know all too well.
Lennon may look to freshen things up following the European game but Celtic will have to battle for these points. Livingston are going to defend deep and look to hit Celtic on the break when the opportunity occurs.
Two of the three meetings last season ended without a goal. Three of Livi’s four home games this season have seen two or less goals in them whilst Celtic’s last four on the road have went the same way. With goals normally at a premium on this surface it makes under 2.5 goals look a solid bet in this game.
