Preview: Hibernian vs. Celtic

Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Scottish Premiership clash between Hibernian and Celtic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Seeking to quickly bounce back from their heartbreaking Champions League exit, Celtic travel to Easter Road to face Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday lunchtime.

The two teams meet for the first time since December 7 when the Hoops secured a 3-0 victory over a wasteful Hibs outfit at Celtic Park.

Match preview
© Imago

One of Celtic’s greatest nights in the Champions League ended in gut-wrenching fashion as Bayern Munich scored a 94th-minute equaliser to deny them a historic victory in Germany and snatch a 3-2 win on aggregate.

After losing the first leg 2-1 in Glasgow, the Hoops nearly forced extra time at the Allianz Arena as they led Wednesday’s second leg 1-0, courtesy of a strike from Nicolas Kuhn, and were on course to win their first-ever knockout stage games in the Champions League era. However, Alphonso Davies broke Celtic’s hearts as he bundled home an equaliser with the final action of the match.

Brendan Rodgers’s side can hold their heads high after surprising going toe-to-toe with one of the European heavyweights, but their focus is now on domestic duties for the rest of this season and their priority will be to secure a record-equalling 55th Scottish Premiership title.

Celtic are firmly in the driving seat to finish the campaign top of the pile, as they currently boast a whopping 13-point advantage at the summit over their nearest rivals Rangers in second place, with 12 league games remaining, including two Old Firm derbies.

The Hoops have won six of their last seven league matches, including each of their last three in a row by an aggregate score of 12-1, while they have also won their last two top-flight visits to Hibs, having previously come out on top in just two games out of 12 at Easter Road (D7 L3).

Since losing 3-0 at Celtic in early December, Hibernian have enjoyed an impressive 12-game unbeaten run across all competitions, alternating between a draw and victory in their last five Premiership fixtures.

Hibs beat Aberdeen 2-0 in the top flight just under a week before securing a slender 1-0 win at Ayr United in the Scottish Cup fifth round, but they were held to a goalless stalemate by St Mirren in their most recent league match last weekend, playing the final six minutes plus stoppage time a man down following the controversial dismissal of debutant Alasana Manneh.

David Gray’s side were unable to take full advantage of fourth-placed Dundee United losing 3-0 to Celtic last weekend and they subsequently sit three points further back in fifth place with seven games remaining before the league splits in two.

Hibs will welcome a return to Easter Road on Saturday as they have won five of their last six home matches in all competitions, including each of their last three by an aggregate score of 8-1.

However, the Edinburgh-based outfit have struggled against Celtic over the years, as they have only won one of their last 24 meetings with the Hoops in all tournaments (D7 L16) – a 4-2 top-flight home triumph in May 2023 under former boss Lee Johnson.

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:

Hibernian form (all competitions):

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

Celtic form (all competitions):

Team News
© Imago

Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo remains out with an ankle injury, while James Forrest has returned to training after a spell on the sidelines with a foot problem, but Saturday’s game may well come too soon for the winger.

Rodgers will consider making a few changes to his starting lineup, with Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor both pushing to start as full-backs ahead of Alistair Johnston and Jeffrey Schlupp.

Luke McCowan could be recalled in midfield at the expense of Arne Engels, while striker Adam Idah will be hoping to force his way back into the first XI ahead of Daizen Maeda, as Kuhn and Jota most likely continue on the flanks.

As for Hibs, Joe Newell (groin), Marvin Ekpiteta (thigh) and Elie Youan (foot) are all sidelined with injuries, while Dylan Levitt is doubtful after missing the last match with a knee issue.

January signing Manneh is suspended following his sending off last time out, and Celtic loanee Kwon Hyeok-kyu is ineligible to play against his parent club, so Nathan Moriah-Welsh could be tasked with starting in midfield alongside Nectarios Triantis.

Martin Boyle is Hibs’ top scorer this season with 12 goals, at least seven more than any of his teammates, and he is expected to continue up front alongside 35-year-old Dwight Gayle.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; O’Hora, Bushiri, Iredale; C. Cadden; Triantis, Moriah-Welsh, N. Cadden; Campbell; Gayle, Boyle

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Hatate, McGregor, McCowan; Kuhn, Idah, Jota

We say: Hibernian 1-3 Celtic
Hibernian have made themselves difficult to beat in recent weeks and will back themselves to cause problems to a deflated Celtic side on home soil. However, the Hoops will still be regarded as firm favourites to win Saturday’s contest and should find a way to outscore their opponents at Easter Road.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

ID:566139:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect15730:

Previews by emailClick here to get Sports Mole’s daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!