Hibernian vs Celtic is up on Saturday, and it’s a fixture that’s been pretty infamous for the Hoops in recent times.
Neil Lennon has managed Celtic twice there since returning. He started off with a fine 2-0 victory over his former club in just his second game in charge. Lenny’s side would then be frustrated by the Hibees nearly two months later in a 0-0 draw at the same venue.
The 0-0 stalemate was the fourth consecutive match in Premiership football in which we’ve failed to win in Leith. It’s becoming a frustration, and that’s exactly why our 100% record of six wins out of six is in more danger than some may think.
Paul Heckingbottom may be under pressure, but Hibs are still packed with threats. If we underestimate the likes of Scott Allan, Stevie Mallan, Daryl Horgan, and Florian Kamberi, we could find ourselves in a spot of bother. That’s why Neil won’t take any chances with his side. Here’s how we think Celtic will line up on Saturday:
The team
Craig Gordon was back in the sticks on Wednesday night and kept a clean sheet vs Partick. Expect that to be the last of that for a while, however. Fraser Forster will take his spot this Saturday, and is looking for his third clean sheet in six games at the club.
Jeremie Frimpong impressed everyone at Parkhead vs Partick Thistle. However, this is a game for the experienced pros. Hatem Abd Elhamed is a certainty to start at right-back, with Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo retaking his spot at left-back.
Neil Lennon said Celtic took no chances with Christopher Jullien against Partick, and he was quite right too. He’ll have had an eye on this tricky-looking fixture, and we’re going to predict he’s been getting ready to start in this one. As is to be expected from now on, he’ll line-up alongside Kristoffer Ajer.
Meanwhile, Lennon has a massive decision to make in the engine room. Does he keep Olivier Ntcham in after his two wonder-goals the other night? He’s proven in the past that he doesn’t like dropping McGregor, but Scott Brown won’t miss this one either. We’re going to make a bold claim and state that this is the match McGregor gets a rest for Ntcham in.
The midfield duo of Brown and Ntcham have failed on more than one occasion against Hibs’ energy. But given the form of both sides, you have to fancy that combination to dominate this time around in Edinburgh.
The regulars to come back in
James Forrest and Ryan Christie also missed the Partick win. Again, expect them to simply have been rested ahead of this encounter. Forrest will take his place down the right, with Christie looking to add to his 10 goals to start the campaign.
Mohamed Elyounoussi is in need of a big performance. Mikey Johnston is still injured as it stands, and Lewis Morgan is failing to impress. But he could have trouble with Scott Sinclair all of a sudden. The Englishman has claimed on Twitter that he’s willing to fight for the jersey, and after scoring against Partick, he may have done enough to keep his spot in the squad. Expect Elyounoussi to get the nod to start, however.
Up top, this is an interesting one. The obvious choice would be Odsonne Edouard, and he does make our predicted XI this week. But Lenny has to be careful here. If anything happens to Eddy, we could have no strikers available for Thursday’s visit of Cluj.
Vakoun Issouf Bayo was sent off in Rennes leaving him suspended. Leigh Griffiths, meanwhile, has been out for a couple of weeks with a thigh knock. If Eddy joins them, we’re in bother this Thursday. But expect it to be a risk that Lennon is willing to take.
Here’s our predicted XI in list form:
GK – Fraser Forster
RB – Hatem Abd Elhamed
CB – Christopher Jullien
CB – Kristoffer Ajer
LB – Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo
CM – Scott Brown
CM – Olivier Ntcham
RM – James Forrest
CAM – Ryan Christie
LM – Mohamed Elyounoussi
ST – Odsonne Edouard
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