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Dundee United
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 23
Jan 29, 2023 at 4pm UK
Tannadice Park
Celtic logo

Dundee Utd
0 - 2
Celtic


Freeman (51'), McGrath (84')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Jota (51'), Mooy (56' pen.)

Preview: Dundee United vs. Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash between Dundee United and Celtic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Celtic will be looking to strengthen their hold of top spot in the Scottish Premiership standings when they face Dundee United on Sunday.

At a time when the visitors are nine points clear of nearest rivals Rangers, the home side are only outside of the bottom two on goal difference.


Match preview

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after the match on January 14, 2023© Reuters

When Scottish football resumed after the World Cup, Celtic were not at their best, only prevailing by one-goal margins in their opening two games and then needing to battle their way to a 2-2 draw with Rangers.

However, in their four matches since the Old Firm derby, all of which have taken place at their home ground, Celtic have scored 13 goals without reply.

Although they have faced no team higher than seventh-placed St Mirren, Ange Postecoglou can only have been left impressed by the improvements made by his team.

In total, the Bhoys are on a 12-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, and a 15-match run when only including fixtures in the top flight.

On Sunday, they also return to Tannadice for the first time since they thrashed their hosts by a 9-0 scoreline at the end of August.

Two days later, Liam Fox was promoted to the role of head coach after the sacking of Jack Ross, and the decision was quickly made to hand him the reins on a permanent basis.

Fox has since delivered seven wins and eight defeats in 19 matches, their best form over a prolonged period occurring since November 9.

Eleven points have been collected from the most recent eight fixtures in the league, leaving the Terrors three points above bottom spot.

Since the resumption, Dundee United have only suffered one defeat, that coming at home to Rangers, and they progressed in the Scottish Cup last time out as they beat Stirling University by a 3-0 scoreline.

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:


Dundee United form (all competitions):


Celtic Scottish Premiership form:


Celtic form (all competitions):



Team News

Celtic's Matt O'Riley celebrates scoring their fifth goal on April 9, 2022© Reuters

Having rung the changes for the Scottish Cup tie, Fox is expected to revert back to a similar side which lined up for the 2-2 draw at Hibs before that fixture.

Although Charlie Mulgrew was able to get a welcome 90 minutes in his legs after a spell on the sidelines, the 36-year-old will likely only be named among the replacements.

Playmaker Glenn Middleton heads into this fixture having netted in successive matches.

Celtic boss Postecoglou went stronger than expected for the Scottish Cup tie with Greenock Morton, but changes will be made for this fixture.

Matt O'Riley, Reo Hatate and Jota should all come back into the starting lineup, while recent signing Yuki Kobayashi is in line for a third straight start at centre-back.

Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Birighitti; Smith, Edwards, McMann; Freeman, Sibbald, Djoum, Behich; Harkes, Middleton; Fletcher

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Johnston, Starfelt, Kobayashi, Bernabei; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Abada, Furuhashi, Jota


SM words green background

We say: Dundee United 0-3 Celtic

Dundee United will feel on a high heading into this fixture given their recent improvements. Nevertheless, facing Celtic is equally daunting, and we expect the visitors to cruise to another three points at Tannadice.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
Darren Plant

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Game History

How you voted: Dundee Utd vs Celtic

Dundee United
10.0%
Draw
5.0%
Celtic
85.0%
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Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after the match on January 14, 2023
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1614204444044
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd176742519625
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Hearts1844102027-716
11Ross County183691435-2115
12St Johnstone1842122134-1314


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