In their first game of the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership, Celtic are set to begin their title defence against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on Sunday.
The home side won the league last term with 93 points from 38 games, while the visitors finished fourth with 56 points and made the Europa League qualifiers.
Match preview
© Reuters
The hosts won the Scottish Premiership once again, and last season's triumph was their third consecutive league win, as well as their 54th top-flight title overall.
Celtic scored 95 goals and conceded 30 times in the 2023-24 league campaign, and this made them the division's best offensive and defensive team.
The Bhoys also won the 2023–24 iteration of the Scottish Cup and beat fierce rivals Rangers 1-0 in the final on May 25 thanks to a winner from Adam Idah in the 90th minute.
Interestingly, manager Brendan Rodgers has hinted that he has concerns about the quality of the squad compared to last season.
His comments are strangely timed considering his side have been excellent in their pre-season friendlies, with notable wins against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City and Enzo Maresca's Chelsea being standout results.
![Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku (18) dribbles the ball and is surrounded by Celtic players during the friendly soccer match between Chelsea and Celtic on July 27, 2024 [on July 30, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/christopher-nkunku_1.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku (18) dribbles the ball and is surrounded by Celtic players during the friendly soccer match between Chelsea and Celtic on July 27, 2024 [on July 30, 2024]")
© Imago
Their 4-1 success against Chelsea on July 27 was particularly impressive, as Celtic were winning 4-0 until Christopher Nkunku scored a consolation goal from a penalty in the 89th minute.
Celtic's overall form heading into the game has been excellent considering they have won 13 of their last 16 90-minute matches and have not lost in any game since their defeat against Hearts on March 3.
Their record at Celtic Park is also exceptional, as demonstrated by the fact they only lost one Premiership game last season at home, and have in fact only lost once in their last 63 top-flight matches at their headquarters.
They have also won 15 of their last 16 league openers and will head into the game full of confidence.
Opponents Kilmarnock were one of only two teams to beat Celtic in the league last season, winning 2-1 at home on December 10.
![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
The visitors also drew 1-1 with them on February 17 and have only lost against the hosts twice in their last five encounters.
Kilmarnock scored 46 goals and conceded 44 times in the top-flight last season, and these records were the league's joint eighth-best offensive and joint fourth-best defensive records respectively.
Killie will have been delighted with their showing in the 2023-24 campaign considering they bettered 2022-23's points total by 16.
Manager Derek McInnes has been in charge since January 2022, when his team were in the Scottish Championship.
McInnes's side were eliminated from the 2024-25 Europa League qualifiers earlier this summer, losing 2-1 on aggregate against Cercle Brugge.
It should also be noted that Kilmarnock have a poor away record and have only won three times in their last 13 matches on the road.
- D
- W
- W
- W
- W
- D
- L
Team News
© Imago
Celtic could be without signing Paulo Bernardo as he attempts to increase his fitness levels following his move from Benfica.
Maik Nawrocki missed all of Celtic's tour of the United States, and while he was spotted in training ahead of the match on Sunday, he is still a doubt.
Elsewhere, signing Kasper Schmeichel could be set for his first competitive start for the hosts.
Midfielder Matt O'Riley's future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks, but given his quality, it would be surprising if Rodgers left him out of the XI.
As for the visitors, defender Joe Wright was forced off due to an injury against Cercle Brugge on Thursday, while Robbie Deas is suspended.
Oliver Bainbridge could appear for Kilmarnock after he completed a loan move to the Scottish side from Sunderland.
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Furuhashi, Palma
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
McCrorie; Mayo, Lyons, Findlay, Bainbridge; McKenzie, Donnelly, Watson; Armstrong, Vassell, Kennedy
We say: Celtic 3-1 Kilmarnock
Although Kilmarnock posed challenges to Celtic last season, the hosts have continued their excellent form through their pre-season friendlies.
Additionally, Celtic's strong record in league openers should see them come into the game as clear favourites.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Lewis Nolan
