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How Celtic could line up against Aberdeen

Sports Mole looks at how Celtic could line up in this weekend's Scottish League Cup final against Aberdeen.

Celtic will meet Aberdeen at Hampden Park on Sunday in the 2018-19 Scottish League Cup final.

The Hoops overcame Motherwell in last season's final to claim their 17th trophy, while they beat Aberdeen 3-0 to land the crown two years ago.

Brendan Rodgers's side recorded a 3-0 win over Hamilton Academical in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, and also had a positive result in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Indeed, the 1-0 success over Rosenborg means that the Scottish giants are just one point away from making the first knockout round of the competition.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Celtic could line up in this weekend's final.


POSS CEL XI vs. ABN

Out: Nir Bitton (knee), Eboue Kouassi (knee), Daniel Arzani (knee), Kristoffer Ajer (eye), Jozo Simunovic (ankle)
Doubtful: None

Leigh Griffiths and Scott Brown both appeared off the bench in Thursday's 1-0 win over Rosenborg, and the latter is expected to return to the starting XI this weekend having fully recovered from a calf problem.

Griffiths provides Rodgers with another option in attack, but it seems likely that Odsonne Edouard, who has 12 goals in all competitions this season, will lead the line once again.

Kristoffer Ajer's is eye injury expected to see Filip Benkovic continue in central defence alongside Dedryck Boyata, while Olivier Ntcham is pushing for a spot in midfield having overcome a hamstring issue.

Scott Sinclair headed home a brilliant James Forrest cross for the only goal of the match against Rosenborg, and the pair are expected to continue in the wide positions.

Number one goalkeeper Craig Gordon will be named on the bench, though, as Scott Bain keeps his position between the sticks.

Ryan Christie and Tom Rogic, meanwhile, should also keep their midfield roles, with Nir Bitton still out despite recently returning to first-team training.

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Written by
Matt Law
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James Forrest in action for Celtic in the Champions League on July 18, 2018
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic2118215775056
2RangersRangers20124437162140
3Dundee UnitedDundee Utd229763024634
4Aberdeen2110473230234
5Motherwell229492734-731
6St Mirren2283112737-1027
7Hibernian226883135-426
8Dundee2174103337-425
9Kilmarnock2367102537-1225
10Ross County226792238-1625
11Hearts2265112531-623
12St Johnstone2243152444-2015


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