Celtic vs Kilmarnock predictions: Champions can open with a bang

- Celtic are unbeaten in nine top-flight games, winning final six matches of last season
- Four of Celtic’s last seven competitive home games have seen four goals
- Recommended bet: bet builder: Celtic to win and over 3.5 total goals

The Scottish champions will get their title defence on Sunday when they welcome Kilmarnock to Celtic Park for a 4.30pm kick off. 

Killie will hold some confidence ahead of a usually daunting trip having lost just two of their five meetings with the Bhoys last term, winning twice, but Brendan Rodgers’ side have looked formidable in pre-season and will be eager to start their campaign with a win. 

Team news

Paulo Bernardo made the permanent move to Celtic Park this week following a successful loan spell last term, but he is still building up fitness and is likely to miss out alongside Maik Nawrocki. 

Kasper Schmeichel should make his first competitive start for the Bhoys in goal with Matt O’Riley set to feature in midfield, despite the continued rumours of a transfer away.  

Kilmarnock’s Joe Wright was forced off with a knock against Cercle Brugge on Thursday and is likely to miss out alongside the suspended Robbie Deas. 

The stats

Celtic scored at least four goals in their final four pre-season matches.

Kilmarnock won two and drew one of their five meetings with the Bhoys last term.

The hosts are unbeaten in nine Scottish Premiership games, winning their final six matches of last season.

They are also unbeaten in 12 competitive home matches in a run which includes 11 wins.

Both teams to score has been a winning bet in seven of Killie’s last nine away league matches.

Celtic’s last seven competitive home games have gone over 2.5 goals, with four of those seeing the ball hit the net at least four times.

Prediction

After their likeliest title challengers and bitter rivals Rangers drew with Hearts in their opener on Saturday, Celtic will be eager to start with a win when they face Kilmarnock on Sunday. 

But after a stellar pre-season which saw them score 18 goals across their final four games as well as beating Chelsea and Manchester City, it is fair to say that Rodgers seems to have his team fired up already. 

Getting the win should be no real issue for the Bhoys as they are unbeaten in nine Premiership matches and have avoided defeat in their last 12 competitive home games, recording 11 wins in that latter streak. 

They boast a plethora of attacking talent too, from exciting winger Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn to prolific striker Kyogo Furuhashi, and they could net a few when beating Kilmarnock. 

Over 2.5 goals has been a winning bet in each of their last seven competitive home matches but given their fine scoring form in pre-season, it could pay to go one further and back over 3.5 instead, a bet which has landed in four of their last seven games at Celtic Park. 

Killie could help bring up the total, given seven of their last nine away league games have seen both teams score, but a heavy defeat is not out of the question either — they were beaten 5-0 by Celtic in the sides’ last meeting. 

Expect goals and a home win at Celtic Park this Sunday as the champions start their title defence in the perfect manner. 

Back Celtic to win and over 3.5 total goals at evens with LiveScore Bet.