Kilmarnock vs Celtic predictions: O'Riley ready to lead Bhoys to title

Jamie Griffith
Spotlight
Matt O'Riley has excelled for Celtic
Matt O'Riley has excelled for Celtic

- Matt O'Riley has scored in each of his last two games
- Celtic have scored 20 goals in their last nine away matches
- Recommended bet:
Matt O'Riley to score

Celtic's grip on the Scottish Premiership trophy got much tighter on Saturday as they ran out 2-1 winners over Old Firm rivals Rangers to move six points clear of their bitter rivals at the top of the table. 

A point would be enough to secure a third consecutive title for the Bhoys and they have a chance to lift the trophy on Wednesday as they head to Rugby Park to take on fourth-placed Kilmarnock in what could be a hotly contested and exciting game. 

Team news

Kilmarnock's star forward Kyle Vassell was forced off in their 2-1 win at St Mirren on Saturday and is now a doubt for the visit of Celtic. 

Innes Cameron is the likeliest candidate to replace Vassell, who would join Kyle Magennis, Brad Lyons and James Balagizi on the sidelines if he is deemed not fit enough to play a part. 

James McCarthy, who is yet to play a game this season, is one of just two absentees for the Bhoys alongside Adam Montgomery, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign. 

Brendan Rodgers, who is chasing his third Scottish Premiership title, is likely to name an unchanged starting XI from Saturday, with his Old Firm heroes set to be handed the chance to get Celtic over the line at Rugby Park. 

The stats

- Matt O'Riley has scored in each of his last two games

- Celtic have scored 20 goals in their last nine away matches

- Kilmarnock have lost just one of their last 12 home league games

- Celtic have lost their last two trips to Rugby Park

- The Bhoys have lost just one of their last 18 league games, winning 14 times in that run

- Both teams to score has been a winning bet in four of the last five meetings between the pair

Prediction

Celtic can secure the Scottish Premiership title at Kilmanock's Rugby Park
Celtic can secure the Scottish Premiership title at Kilmanock's Rugby Park

A draw would be enough for Celtic to secure the trophy on Wednesday but they would love to land the title with the flourish of a victory. However, that could prove to be a difficult task. 

Kilmarnock have won their last two home matches against the Bhoys and the sole loss in their last 12 league games at Rugby Park came against second-placed Rangers by a narrow 2-1 scoreline. 

Celtic will need to be at their best to win on Wednesday, with a few goals likely to be required too, given both teams have scored in six of their last nine games as well as in four of the last five meetings between the pair. 

They will need their star men to step up, and O'Riley could oblige. The Danish international midfielder is clearly a man for the big occasion, having netted in the last two Old Firms, and he could lead the Bhoys to the title at Rugby Park. 

O'Riley has 15 league goals this season, netting four in his last six outings, including one in each of his last two appearances.

Given he netted in the pair's last meeting at Rugby Park, he rates a solid bet to get on the scoresheet on Wednesday.  

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Tags

Scottish PremiershipKilmarnockCeltic