Celtic and Hearts are set to clash in a crucial Scottish Premiership match on Sunday, December 7, at 3 PM. This encounter will take place at Celtic Park in Glasgow, with both teams vying for the top position in the league.
Celtic vs Hearts: Match Preview
This match carries significant weight for both teams. Celtic, the reigning champions, have recently appointed Wilfried Nancy as their new manager. This game will mark his debut in charge.
The stakes are high as Hearts currently lead the league but have struggled recently, collecting only three points from their last four matches. They previously enjoyed an eight-point lead, following a decisive 3-1 victory over Celtic in late October. However, the tide has turned, allowing Celtic to close the gap.
Team Form and Recent Performances
- Celtic’s recent form: 6 wins in their last 7 matches.
- Hearts’ struggles: 1 win in their last 6 league matches, including a recent loss to Aberdeen.
- Hearts scored 30 goals this season, leading the league in offensive performance.
Hearts have encountered difficulties in scoring goals during the past month, a sharp contrast to their earlier form. Their defense has also faced challenges, particularly when it comes to set-piece situations. This weakness plays into Celtic’s strengths, which might help them capitalize during the match.
Key Players to Watch
- Daizen Maeda: A vital player for Celtic with 17 league goals to his name this season.
- Harry Milne: The Hearts defender has accumulated five bookings this season and may face difficulty containing Celtic’s attack.
Betting Predictions and Tips
Celtic enters this match as the favorites, with odds at 1-2, while Hearts sit at 5-1. A draw has odds of 16-5. The suggested best bet is for Celtic to win and both teams to score, reflecting the goal-scoring capabilities of both squads.
Team News and Expected Line-ups
Celtic will be without several key players, including Marcelo Saracchi and Cameron Carter-Vickers, due to injuries. The squad might adopt a 4-3-3 formation.
- Predicted Celtic Line-up: Schmeichel; Donovan, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Nygren, Maeda, Yang.
Hearts, meanwhile, will miss Beni Baningime and Calem Nieuwenhof amongst others. They are likely to line up in a 4-4-2 setup.
- Predicted Hearts Line-up: Schwolow; McEntee, Kent, Findlay, Milne; Spittal, Magnusson, Devlin, Kyziridis; Braga, Shankland.
This match promises to be a compelling encounter, as Celtic looks to capitalize on their home advantage while Hearts aims to regain form and maintain their championship lead.
