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[monks data]
Inverness CT
Scottish Premiership
Apr 11, 2015 at 12.45pm UK
 
Celtic logo

1-1

Ofere (4')
FT(HT: 1-1)

Preview: Inverness Caledonian Thistle vs. Celtic

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Celtic.

Celtic can avenge their 1-0 defeat away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle last summer when the two teams meet for the third time this season at the Caledonian Stadium on Saturday.

The Glasgow side are edging towards another Scottish Premiership title, while Inverness are hoping to put their poor run of form behind them against the Scottish giants.



Inverness Caledonian Thistle

John Hughes manager of Inverness during the Scottish Premiership League Match between Motherwell and Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Fir Park on August 16, 2014© Getty Images

After last night's defeat to Aberdeen, Inverness will be looking over their shoulder as their European hopes come under threat.

They may have an eight-point margin over fourth-placed Dundee United, but they haven't won a league game since February and have fallen 11 points behind Aberdeen in second.

Dundee also have a game in hand on Inverness, but their record is even worse as they haven't won since January, while St Johnstone are just one point further back and closing fast.

The Jags' fine start to the season, which included that win over Celtic, is now a distant memory as they have three points from their last six games and just one win from their last eight.

However, Inverness have not let their league form affect their run in the Scottish Cup, where they will face Celtic in the semi-finals.

They need to recapture some of their fine early season form if they are going to secure their place in Europe next season, but their fixtures are not going to get easier as the league splits in half after this weekend and they will face only teams in the top six.

Recent form: DDLLDL
Recent form (all competitions): DLWLDL


Celtic

Leigh Griffiths of Celtic celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Scottish League Cup Semi-Final between Celtic and Rangers at Hampden Park on February 1, 2015© Getty Images

In contrast to Inverness's woes, Celtic are storming to their fourth successive Scottish Premiership title, which would be the first under manager Ronnie Deila.

The Bhoys have won 11 of their last 12 games, with their only blemish coming against St Johnstone on March 4. Danny Swanson's winner is the only league goal Celtic have conceded in their last seven matches, while they have scored 15.

Celtic had a poor start to the season by their own high standards and, while Aberdeen have fought valiantly, The Hoops seem unstoppable and last night's routine 2-0 win over Partick Thistle has put them within touching distance of their 46th league title.

A treble is a strong possibility, as they face Inverness in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup, while they lifted the Scottish League Cup in March.

However, their failure to progress past the group stages of the Champions League, and their subsequent defeat to Inter Milan in the Europa League, has left a cloud over their season.

Against Inverness, they are the heavy favourites to win for the 12th time in 13 games and extend their fine away record. They have won every league game on their travels in 2015.

Recent form: WWLWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WDWWWW


Team News

Scott Brown of Celtic FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League, Group H match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at the Camp Nou Stadium on December 11, 2013© Getty Images

Inverness have no new injury concerns after last night's loss to Aberdeen, but John Hughes could ring the changes.

Striker Edward Ofere could start as Hughes searches for more goals, while Lewis Horner and Ryan Christie are fighting to get back in the side.

Celtic welcome back captain Scott Brown from suspension, and he is expected to take his place in central midfield.

Nir Bitton replaced him against Partick so could make way, while Anthony Stokes is pushing for a recall after he was rested in midweek.

Leigh Griffiths has also been rested and hasn't featured in either of their last two games, while James Forrest is also pushing hard for a start.

Deila may be tempted to rest several of his key players as he looks ahead to the Scottish Cup semi-final in their next game, so the likes of Efe Ambrose, and Darnell Fisher could be brought in.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle possible starting lineup:
Esson, Raven, Warren, Meekings, Shinnie, Doran, Draper, Williams, Christie, Ofere, Watkins

Celtic possible starting lineup: Gordon, Matthews, Ambrose, van Dijk, Izaguirre, Brown, Johansen, Griffiths, Commons, Stokes, Guidetti



Head To Head

Celtic have a dominant record against Inverness, despite their 1-0 shock defeat in August.

They hit back with a 1-0 win of their own in November, while last season they won three of the four encounters, with two of them ending 5-0 and 6-0.

Inverness have a poor defensive record against the Bhoys and tend to ship a large number of goals, with 38 coming in the last 11 matches.



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We say: Inverness 0-3 Celtic

This is a very different Inverness side from the one which beat Celtic in August, and their poor run should continue against the rampant Hoops. Celtic are easing towards the title, and are scoring buckets of goals. We predict that three more will follow here, along with another clean sheet.



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Scott Brown of Celtic FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League, Group H match between FC Barcelona and Celtic FC at the Camp Nou Stadium on December 11, 2013
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