Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 19

Dec 26, 2024 at 3pm UK

Celtic Park

Celtic vs Motherwell

Match preview

Celtic are enjoying another excellent season in the Scottish top flight, leading the league standings by nine points before Christmas and yet to taste defeat after 16 games in the campaign.

The Hoops also delivered an early present to their fans by securing the League Cup title with a penalty shoot-out victory over arch-rivals Rangers, after a thrilling 90 minutes ended 3-3 in the Old Firm derby.

However, Brendan Rodgers' side dropped points for only the second time this season at the weekend when they were unable to overcome Dundee United on the road, despite enjoying 78% of the possession and taking 17 shots on target to their opponents' two.

Now back on their home turf, where they have been in excellent form of late, winning their last three games without conceding, the Bhoys will be hoping to get back to winning ways and extend their unbeaten run at Celtic Park to 18 league games.

The hosts won the last meeting between these two sides 3-0 away from home and are unbeaten in their last 28 league encounters against this opponent, dating back to December 2015.

Meanwhile, Motherwell, who have finished in the bottom half of the league in each of the last two seasons, will be delighted with their return to form at Christmas, with 26 points to their name, eight behind third-placed Aberdeen.

The Steelmen were held to a 1-1 draw by Kilmarnock last time out, extending their current unbeaten run in the top flight to three games after back-to-back wins over St Mirren and Dundee United.

Liam Gordon's first goal of the season gave the Well the lead last time out, but they were pegged back midway through the second half and were reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute.

Stuart Kettlewell's side have won four and lost four of their eight away league games this season, but it is notable that they have shared the spoils on their last two visits to Celtic Park, with both games ending in 1-1 draws.

Recent Performance

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:WWWWWD

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:LLLWWD

Team News

Only one Celtic player is expected to miss the game, Odin Thiago Holm, who suffered a calf injury in September and will not return to training until the New Year.

Nicolas Kuhn was rested against Dundee United at the weekend but is expected to return this week to lead the line alongside Japanese strike duo Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda.

For the visitors, centre-forward Zach Robinson ruptured his Achilles tendon in training earlier this month and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery a few weeks ago.

Dan Casey was sent off last time out and will serve his one-match ban this week, while Paul McGinn (thigh), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Jack Vale (calf) and Callum Slattery (knee) are all out through injury.

Possible starting lineup

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Taylor; Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate; Maeda, Furuhashi, Kuhn

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Oxborough; Balmer, Gordon, Blaney; Kaleta, Paton, Halliday, Seddon; Miller, Watt; Stamatelopoulos