Looking to rebound from a heartbreaking loss last time out, Kilmarnock will take on the tough challenge of hosting Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic at Rugby Park on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts sit eighth in the table heading into this one, with 12 points from 11 outings, while the visitors remain unbeaten at the top of the standings, with 28 points from 10 matches.
Match preview
![Stuart Findlay defender of Kilmarnock FC during the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round, 2nd leg match between Cercle Brugge and Kilmarnock F.C. at the Jan Breydel stadium on August 01, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stuart-findlay.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stuart Findlay defender of Kilmarnock FC during the UEFA Europa League Second qualifying round, 2nd leg match between Cercle Brugge and Kilmarnock F.C. at the Jan Breydel stadium on August 01, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
Following a disappointing relegation from the Scottish Premiership in 2020-21, Kilmarnock instantly bounced back into the top division as they narrowly won the Championship in 2021-22, finishing top of the league with 67 points - two ahead of second-placed Arbroath.
They endured an expectedly difficult return to the top flight, finishing 11th in the pre-split season before managing to climb into 10th place thanks to three wins and two losses from their five post-split fixtures, extending their stay in the Premiership for another year.
Killie followed that with a phenomenal 2023-24 campaign, surprisingly flying up the table to place fourth in the division with 56 points from 38 matches, earning them a chance to compete for a place in European competition this term.
Unfortunately for Derek McInnes, in charge since January 2022, his side have failed to build on that momentum in the opening stages of this campaign, being eliminated from the Europa League in the second qualifying round, the Conference League in the playoff round and currently placing eighth in the Scottish Premiership.
After losing their first three league outings, their form did appear to be improving as they drew three, won three and lost one of their following seven games, but a heartbreaking defeat to Dundee in their last outing threatens to derail their streak.
Kilmarnock held a 2-0 lead at the 40-minute mark with goals from Bruce Anderson and Matthew Kennedy, but Dundee quickly pulled one back through Sebastian Palmer-Houlden, equalised early in the second half via Jordan McGhee, and then sealed a 3-2 win with a 94th-minute goal from Ziyad Larkeche, leaving McInnes's side devastated.
© Imago
They will be hoping to bounce back from that result with a win on Sunday, but they are undoubtedly the underdogs heading into the match against the unbeaten Scottish Premiership leaders.
Celtic have been simply sensational to this point of the campaign, losing just one of their first 17 matches across all competitions, with 14 wins and two draws in that time.
That defeat was a humiliating 7-1 loss against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, earning Brendan Rodgers plenty of criticism for his expansive style of play, but the manager has silenced his critics with impressive performances in the matches since, particularly their last two fixtures.
A difficult draw in the Scottish League Cup semi-final saw them face fellow undefeated Aberdeen, but the Bhoys made light work of their opponents as they dismantled the Dons 6-0, followed by a phenomenal 3-1 win in the Champions League against an RB Leipzig side that are second in the Bundesliga.
Those results will have boosted the team's confidence heading into their upcoming fixtures, and with Celtic aiming to maintain their strong form into the November international break, they will be optimistic about securing another victory here.
Team News
© Imago
Kyle Magennis and Liam Polworth are both likely to be absent from this match due to injury issues, but both are likely to be available upon the return to club action after the upcoming international break.
Stuart Findlay was forced off after just 33 minutes in their eventual defeat to Dundee in their last game, and the defender could be replaced by Joe Wright in the starting side for this one.
As for Celtic, they appear to have no availability concerns heading into this match, providing Rodgers with a fully fit squad to select from.
Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn scored twice in their last victory against Leipzig, and the forward could start alongside a changed attack of Adam Idah and Luis Palma here.
Elsewhere, the same defence and midfield has started a majority of Celtic's matches when the full squad is available, and we expect that to stay the same in this one.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Mayo, Deas, Wright; Armstrong, Watson, Lyons, Kennedy, Ndaba; Vassell, Anderson
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Palma
We say: Kilmarnock 0-3 Celtic
Kilmarnock will be desperate to rebound from the late defeat last time out, but Celtic are certainly the overwhelming favourites to secure the win here, and we expect the visitors to comfortably come out on top.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
