The Scottish Premiership resumes after the international break with champions and early leaders Celtic undertaking a trip to New Dougles Park to take on the Accies.
Hamilton Academical Form and Team News – Changes unlikely for the Accies
Considering their problems last season, Accies’ fans will probably be contest with a return of four points from four games at the start of the new campaign.
Brian Rice’s side have only beaten struggling Kilmarnock so far but did gain a creditable 2-2 draw at Hearts when last in action. George Oakley, only 23, has grabbed three league goals already, including both at Tynecastle, and the former AFC Wimbledon striker may now be finally beginning to fulfil his potential. Including loan signings, Oakley is one of eight Englishman currently plying their trade at the south Lanarkshire club. Sam Stubbs, son of former Celtic legend Alan, is another, and Hamilton are already looking a more combative side than last season. Sam Stubbs, son of former Celtic legend Alan, is another.
However, there is still a huge gulf in class between the top clubs and the rest in the Premiership. Rice wants his team to attack Celtic this weekend but admits it’s a tall order for his players to get anything out of the fixture with the away side having conceded just three times in the league this season, scoring 17 at the other end. There are no fresh injury problems for the Accies, who are likely to field the same side that started against Hearts two weeks ago.
Celtic Form and Team News – Champions likely to name strong line-up
Having struck a huge psychological blow by winning at Ibrox on the eve of the international break, Celtic will not want to slip up at New Douglas Park so Neil Lennon is likely to name his strongest available side.
Ryan Christie, Scott Brown, James Forrest, Odsonne Edouard and Callum McGregor all look certain starters as the Hoops bid to extend their 100 per cent record. But Mikey Johnstonn, Jozo Simonuvic and Martin Shved will be absentees and Hatem Abd Elhamed played a full 90 minutes in two matches for Israel last week. Jonny Hayes may have to be content with a place on the bench again, despite scoring against Rangers.
Most of Celtic’s international players didn’t return until Thursday so preparations have been brief but it will be a surprise if the club’s momentum, overall, will be affected too much and their record against Hamilton suggests the champions should be confident of another victory.
Hamilton Academical v Celtic Head-to-Heads
Celtic have won their last nine matches against Hamilton and have not lost at New Douglas Park this century. The Hoops have kept cleans sheets in their last three meetings and the Accies have not scored more than once in any match-up since 2000.
Hamilton Academical v Celtic Best Match Odds
Hamilton Academical 20/1, Draw 7/1, Celtic 2/11 (Odds correct at 11.15am September 13)
Hamilton Academical v Celtic Predictions
The match betting reflects how difficult a fixture this is for Hamilton. Discipline will also be concerning manager Rice as his relatively young team has already picked up a couple of red cards this season. The Accies to have a player sent off against Celtic is a tempting 13/2 with Paddy Power. Celtic to win 2-0 is a general 5/1 in the Correct Score betting.
