Celtic will have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table when they host Dundee at Celtic Park on Wednesday night.
The hosts could move 13 points clear of second-placed Rangers with a win, while the visitors will aim to widen the gap above the drop zone by securing all three points.
Match preview
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Celtic's outstanding 2024-25 campaign has continued to gather momentum over the past weeks, having reached the Champions League knockout stages for the first time since 2012-13 and now aiming to further extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Holding a game in hand after their matchup with Dundee was previously postponed due to a storm, the Bhoys, already crowned Scottish League Cup champions this term, have the chance to move 13 points clear of second-placed Rangers with a win on Wednesday.
Brendan Rodgers's side suffered just their third loss of the season last week, as Aston Villa put them to the sword, but the Bhoys have once again shown their resilience, bouncing back from defeat with a win for the third time this campaign.
Celtic raced into an early 1-0 lead in that match before Motherwell levelled the score, but the Bhoys quickly regained the advantage through Adam Idah's goal, and an emotional Jota sealed the victory with a 94th-minute strike on his second debut for the club.
Now set to make his return to Celtic Park for the first time since May 2023, Jota will be welcomed home by the Bhoys faithful, who are sure to create an electric atmosphere for the fan-favourite Portuguese winger.
Dundee, however, will be looking to spoil the homecoming party, with the Dee aiming to secure all three points in an attempt to widen the gap between themselves and the relegation zone.
Dundee, who spent the first nine matchdays of the season inside the top six after securing two wins, three draws, and four losses, have suffered a drop down the standings in the subsequent weeks.
A run of six defeats in 11 matches followed, but Dundee seemed to have turned a corner with two wins and two draws in the next four games. However, a heavy 6-0 loss to Hearts in their most recent outing would have dampened their spirits heading into this one.
Tony Docherty's men are now 10th in the Scottish Premiership table with 27 points from their 24 matches, leaving them only a point above 11th-placed Ross County in the relegation playoff place, though the Dee do have a game in hand on those around them.
The Dee will have to make history if they are to secure all three points on Wednesday, with Dundee failing to win at Celtic Park since Fabian Caballero scored twice to deliver a 2-0 victory for the Dark Blues in May 2001.
Team News
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James Forrest is expected to be the only player unavailable due to injury for the hosts, leaving Rodgers with a fully-fit squad to choose from for his starting 11.
Following the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes, Idah has become Celtic's main striker, and the Irishman is sure to start here after netting three in his last two games.
While the Celtic Park crowd will be eager to see Jota, the winger is likely to start on the bench, having failed to complete a full 90 minutes since May 2024 for Al Ittihad against Al-Nassr.
Elsewhere, Anthony Ralston could keep his place at right-back ahead of Alistair Johnston, while the rest of the defence is likely to feature Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Greg Taylor.
As for Dundee, Billy Koumetio (unspecified), Joe Shaughnessy (knee) and Scott Fraser (groin) are all ruled out through injury, with all three expected to return later this month.
Following the humiliating 6-0 loss to Hearts, Docherty is likely to make several changes to his starting lineup for this one, meaning the likes of Finlay Robertson, Sebastian Palmer-Houlden and Ziyad Larkeche may come into the side.
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; McCowan, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Maeda
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Carson; Astley, C. Robertson, Donnelly; Ingram, Sylla, Cameron, Larkeche; Palmer-Houlden, F. Robertson; Murray
We say: Celtic 3-0 Dundee
Celtic are unbeaten at home in the league this season and are sure to be buoyed by the atmosphere as they welcome Jota back, and with Dundee's dismal record at Celtic Park, we believe the hosts will secure a comfortable win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
