Celtic will aim to maintain their remarkable unbeaten status in this season's Scottish Premiership when they host bottom of the table St Johnstone at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts are top of the table with a brilliant 47 points from their opening 17 league fixtures, while the visitors are in last place with just 14 points from 19 outings, leaving them four points adrift of safety.
Match preview
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Celtic have enjoyed a remarkable first half of the 2024-25 season, suffering just one loss in the 27 matches that they have played across all competitions thus far.
That sole defeat came on the second matchday of the Champions League league phase, a humbling 7-1 thrashing by Borussia Dortmund, but Celtic swiftly recovered and have remained unbeaten in all competitions since, meaning they are without a loss in any domestic competitions to date.
Those results leave them top of the Scottish Premiership with a healthy 12 point advantage over a recently resurged Rangers side in second place, while they have also already defeated their Old Firm rivals on penalties in the Scottish League Cup final, ensuring the Bhoys claimed the first silverware of the season.
Brendan Rodgers's side dropped points for just the second time this campaign following the cup final as they were held to a goalless draw with Dundee United, but they have since returned to winning ways with a 4-0 demolition of Motherwell on Boxing Day.
Now aiming to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership and maintain their superb unbeaten status in the league, Celtic will take on a St Johnstone side that are rock bottom of the table.
The Saints have narrowly avoided relegation in each of the last three years, winning in the relegation playoff in 2021-22, finishing ninth in 2022-23 and 10th in 2023-24.
They once again find themselves embroiled in the battle for survival this term, disappointingly sitting bottom of the table with just 14 points from 19 matches, after four wins, two draws and 13 defeats, leaving them four points behind 10th-placed Ross County.
Craig Levein initially started the campaign in charge but was sacked in mid September after a poor start to the campaign, but the arrival of Simo Valakari has done little to improve St Johnstone's form.
The new boss has recorded just three wins, one draw and eight losses in his opening 12 matches at the helm, including coming into this game without a win in their last five.
They will be hoping to break that streak with a surprise victory over the league leaders, but history suggests Celtic will comfortably win this one, with the Bhoys having avoided defeat in all of the last 30 meetings.
Team News
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Celtic will be without the services of James Forrest (foot) and Odin Thiago Holm (calf) for this match, with neither expected to return from their respective injuries until next month.
While the Bhoys secured a commanding 4-0 win in their last game, Rodgers may decide to rotate the side given the mass of fixtures coming their way in the coming weeks, meaning the likes of Alex Valle, Luke McCowan and Luis Palma could start.
As for the visitors, Cameron MacPherson (hip), Sam McClelland (Achilles tendon) and Uche Ikpeazu are all set to remain on the sidelines until the new year with injury issues.
Mackenzie Kirk has been in hot form for St Johnstone despite their poor run of results in recent games, with the striker netting four in his last six appearances, and he is certain to start in attack here.
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Ralston, Welsh, Scales, Valle; Hatate, McGregor, McCowan; Palma, Idah, Maeda
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Rae; Sanders, Mikulic, Cameron; Keltjens, Wright, Spranger, Carey, Holt; Kirk, Mbunga-Kimpioka
We say: Celtic 3-0 St Johnstone
The hosts are undoubtedly the best side in the league, while the visitors are currently the worst heading into this game, leading us to expect a commanding victory from Celtic.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
