Just four days after losing 2-0 at Celtic Park in a rearranged Scottish Premiership fixture, St Johnstone have to do it all again at McDiarmid Park – but will the Saints fare any better?
St Johnstone Form
Tommy Wright’s team managed just one effort on goal in Wednesday’s match, compared to the 21 shots Celtic managed, but still held out until just after half-time when their opponents’ superior quality began to show. Saints have won their last two home matches and are comfortably mid-table but, having also drawn Celtic in the next round of the Scottish Cup, there is only a top six place to play for between now and the end of the season. They have added QPR midfielder Sean Goss on loan until the summer and also goalkeeper Cammy Bell from Partick Thistle but the former Rangers, Dundee United and Kilmarnock stopper could face a baptism of fire against the Hoops.
Celtic Form
Celtic have found another gear since a defeat in the Old Firm derby briefly threatened their domination. They’ve won their last four in all competitions without conceding a goal and, before the weekend, opened up a six-point gap on their title rivals. Brendan Rodgers has also been busy in the transfer market, bringing Jeremy Toljan, Maryan Shved, Andrew Gutman and Manny Perez. The Glasgow giants have now won seven of their last eight matches and are moving inexorably towards yet another league title. Worryingly for the Saints, they have averaged just under three goals a game in that period.
St Johnstone v Celtic Head-to-Heads
Celtic have won nine of their last 11 matches against St Johnstone and drawn the other two. The Saints haven’t scored in any of their last four meetings and have only beaten the Hoops once at McDiarmid Park since 2012. In their last five fixtures in Perth, Celtic have scored a total of 22 goals.
St Johnstone v Celtic Current Best Odds
St Johnstone 8/1, Draw 4/1, Celtic 2/5 (Odds correct at 11.00am February 1)
St Johnstone v Celtic Predictions
Celtic are 13/10 to win to nil with several bookmakers including Ladbrokes. Given their complete domination of the same opposition just a few days ago, this looks a solid bet. The away side to win by three goals is 11/2 with Boylesports a winning margin of four or more goals is 7/1 with the same firm.
