MX23RW : Monday, June 24 12:15:52| >> :600:739918:739918:
[monks data]
Motherwell logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 7
Sep 30, 2023 at 12.30pm UK
Fir Park
Celtic logo

Motherwell
1 - 2
Celtic

Spittal (90+5')
Slattery (10'), O'Donnell (54'), Spencer (90')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Palma (87'), O'Riley (90+7')
Phillips (84')

Preview: Motherwell vs. Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Motherwell and Celtic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Celtic will be aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2023-23 Scottish Premiership on Saturday when they make the trip to Motherwell on Saturday.

However, the Hoops are sure to be tested with the Steelmen currently just three places below them in fourth, although they do head into this game following consecutive defeats.


Match preview

Motherwell's Kevin van Veen celebrates with teammates after scoring their first goal on April 22, 2023© Reuters

Motherwell have had a strong start to the new season which is reflected by their current league position, with the club trailing Celtic by only six points.

The Steelmen were unbeaten in their first four games, but they have been hit with a reality check in their previous two fixtures where they have suffered defeats.

However, even in those losses against St Mirren and Rangers, Motherwell showcased resilience and have been difficult to break down which is why each match finished 1-0.

Stuart Kettlewell has his team fairly well drilled at the back, but he will want to see more from the attacking side of the team as they are currently averaging just a goal per game in the league.

That is something that may not prove to be enough when facing a team as strong as the defending league champions, with the pressure on the likes of Theo Bair and Connor Wilkinson mounting.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers pictured on September 3, 2023© Reuters

Goals are something that the visitors have had no issues with this season as Celtic have been free-flowing in that department, scoring 14 times already this season in the league.

Brendan Rodgers has created a great balance with his team early on, and while they are the highest-scoring team in the division they have also only conceded three times.

The Hoops showcased exactly what they are capable of last weekend when they faced Livingston, even when they were dealt with a difficult situation after Joe Hart was sent off in the 28th minute.

Even though Celtic had 10 men for the majority of the game, they were still able to beat the Lions 3-0 with Reo Hatate, Matt O'Riley and Daizen Maeda all getting on the scoresheet.

However, even though they have impressed in the early stages of this season, Rodgers will still be wary of the fact St Mirren are only two points behind them at the moment, with the room for error being very small in the title race.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:


Motherwell form (all competitions):


Celtic Scottish Premiership form:


Celtic form (all competitions):



Team News

Joe Hart warms up for Celtic on September 14, 2022© Reuters

Motherwell have a series of injuries to deal with this weekend as Calum Butcher, Mika Biereth and Jon Obika have all been on the sidelines as of late.

However, the Steelmen did welcome Pape Souare back to training throughout this week, although it remains to be seen whether this game will come too soon for him to feature from the start.

The visitors will be forced to make at least one change to the starting XI due to the fact that Hart was sent off last weekend which will open up an opportunity for Scott Bain to feature.

James Forrest was brought into the team from the first whistle for the victory against Livingston, but ended up having to be pulled off early due to them going down to 10 men, so Rodgers may look to provide him more minutes this time around.


Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Casey, Mugabi, McGinley; O'Donnell, Paton, Slattery, Miller, Spencer; Shaw, Bair

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Bain; Johnston, Lagerbielke, Scales, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Kyogo, Forrest


SM words green background

We say: Motherwell 0-2 Celtic

Motherwell have proven themselves to be difficult to defeat so far this season, but this weekend could be a step too far for them.

The Steelmen have struggled as of late and that is something that Celtic could look to exploit, with their attacking qualities set to be too much in this one.



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 an away win 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.Away Win:data


ID:525162:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12853:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Motherwell vs Celtic

Motherwell
5.0%
Draw
0.0%
Celtic
95.0%
20
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Croatia's Dominik Livakovic celebrates after the match on March 28, 2023
Read Next:
Celtic 'keeping tabs on goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Euro 2024 fixtures header
Monday, June 24
 
8pm
 
8pm
Tuesday, June 25
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Wednesday, June 26
 
5pm
 
5pm
 
8pm
 
8pm
Saturday, June 29
 
8pm
Sunday, June 30
Monday, July 1
Tuesday, July 2
Friday, July 5
Saturday, July 6
Tuesday, July 9
Wednesday, July 10
Sunday, July 14
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Spain Spain22006
2 Italy Italy21013
3 Albania national flag Albania20111
4 Croatia Croatia20111

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 England flag England21104
2 Denmark Denmark20202
3 Slovenia Slovenia20202
4 Serbia Serbia20111

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Netherlands Netherlands21104
2 France France21104
3 Austria Austria21013
4 Poland Poland20020

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Romania Romania21013
2 Belgium Belgium21013
3 Slovakia Slovakia21013
4 Ukraine Ukraine21013

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal22006
2 Turkey Turkey21013
3 Czech Republic Czech Republic20111
4 Georgia Georgia20111


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!