It’s been a baptism of fire for new Hearts coach Daniel Stendel with his second match in charge of the relegation-threatened Edinburgh side being at home to champions and Premiership leaders Celtic – can the Jam Tarts pull off a shock and avoid defeat?
Hearts Form and Team News
Stendel could be without up to eight of his first team for the visit of Celtic.
Steven Naismith, Aidy White, Callumn Morrison, Peter Haring, Ben Garuccio, John Souttar, and Conor Washington have all been in the treatment room and leading striker Uche Ikpeazu is suspended.
That would be a tough set of circumstances to overcome for any team in the Premiership but the fact that Celtic are next up makes the task almost impossible.
The new manager will want to add to his squad next month and slowly get his players to adapt to the high pressing game that was pivotal to his success at Barnsley but budgets will have to be adhered to and it looks unlikely there will be additional funds from a top six placing this year. However, at present, most Hearts fans would simply settle for a place in the top flight next season and some stability after the stagnation under Craig Levein.
The fact that Stendel’s former club are seeking compensation will mean that owner Ann Budge will be keeping a tight hold on purse strings for the time being must be a concern. Hearts argue that Stendel was sacked by Barnsley but the controversy rumbles on.
The Jam Tarts lost at home to St Johnstone on Saturday to leave then joint bottom with Hamilton. They’ve drawn four of their last five in the league, drawing the other, and will again have to rely on fringe players like Oliver Bozanic, Sean Clare, Aidan Keena, and Steven MacLean against the Hoops and it could be a long night for home fans at Tynecastle.
Scottish Premiership Betting at Betfair
Celtic Form and Team News
Jeremie Frimpong of Celtic ActionPlus12192854 Vagelis Georgariou
Celtic bid for a 10th straight victory in the Premiership.
They have kept clean sheets in seven of those victories and travel to Edinburgh knowing another win will increase the gap over Rangers to five points and keep the pressure onto Steven Gerrard’s side, who play Hibs at Easter Road on Friday night.
Ryan Christie is likely to return to action against Hearts having missed the Hoops’ last few games with an injury but Mohamed Elyounoussi will be an absentee and so will Mikey Johnston, who is still feeling the effects of a knock picked up in defeat in Cluj last Thursday night in the Europa League. Without the latter pair, Neil Lennon may be forced into a tactical switch as there is a lack of width among the matchday squad. Nir Bitton could be the one to miss out if Christie plays with James Forrest switching to the left of midfield. Leigh Griffiths and Tom Rogic could both get rare starts if Lennon decides to shuffle his pack with the opposition struggling to field a competitive line-up.
Hearts vs Celtic Live Stats & Betting Odds
Hearts vs Celtic Head-to-Heads
Celtic have won their last six meetings with Hearts in all competitions but the Edinburgh team have won two out of their last three fixtures in the Premiership at Tynecastle.
Hearts vs Celtic Current Best Odds
Hearts 12/1, Draw 5/1, Celtic 1/4 (Odds correct at 10.30am December 18)
Hearts vs Celtic Predictions
No-one is going to get rich backing Celtic at a best 1/4 in the match betting but that is the only possible outcome according to the form book. Over 2.5 Celtic goals looks a good bet at 6/5 with Bet365 and the champions should keep another clean sheet with their hosts likely to be under-strength and short of recognised firepower.
