Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Scottish Premiership clash between Dundee United and Celtic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Dundee United and Celtic will get the Scottish Premiership post-split fixtures underway on Saturday afternoon when they meet at Tannadice Park.
The hosts are aiming to finish as the ‘best of the rest’ in the top division, while the visitors will secure the league title if they avoid defeat.
Match preview
Dundee United have enjoyed a superb return to the top division after winning promotion last season, having lifted the Scottish Championship title.
The Tangerines secured a fourth-placed finish to book their place in the championship round of the post-split season, and Jim Goodwin will be aiming to claim third spot and the title of ‘best of the rest’ in the Scottish Premiership.
Dundee Utd currently trail third-placed Hibernian by just three points, and an excellent end to the regular campaign will give them plenty of confidence heading into these final five matches.
Saturday’s hosts come into the match on the back of three consecutive 1-0 league victories over Ross County, Hearts and St Johnstone, but they now face a much more challenging test against the dominant Celtic.
The question is not if but when Celtic will secure their 55th Scottish Premiership title, as the Bhoys hold a commanding 15-point lead at the top of the league table.
That means Brendan Rodgers‘s side come into this clash needing just a point to secure their trophy, and given Celtic have avoided defeat in all of the last 22 meetings with Dundee Utd, the Bhoys have every reason to be confident heading into the clash.
Celtic are also headed into this encounter on the back of impressive victories against Kilmarnock (5-1) in the league and St Johnstone (5-0) in the Scottish FA Cup semi-final.
The most recent of those victories keeps the Bhoys in contention for a domestic treble this season, having already secured the Scottish League Cup, which could mark Celtic’s sixth domestic treble in nine years.
Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:
Celtic Scottish Premiership form:
Celtic form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Dundee United have recently confirmed that Louis Moult and Declan Gallagher will not have their contracts renewed at the end of the current campaign, but both are still expected to play a part on Sunday.
Sam Dalby was a worry after being forced off in their final regular season fixture with a reported tight hamstring, but their top scorer is fit to start against Celtic.
As for the Bhoys, Kasper Schmeichel remains out of the side due to a shoulder injury, meaning Viljami Sinisalo keeps his place in goal, while Hyun-Jun Yang is also out with an injury.
Adam Idah and Daizen Maeda could both keep their place in the starting 11 after scoring in the 5-0 win against St Johnstone, while Jota may replace James Forrest after making an impact from the bench.
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Cleall-Harding, Gallagher, Adegboyega; Strain, Stephenson, Docherty, Ferry; Middleton, Trapanovski; Dalby
Celtic possible starting lineup:Sinisalo; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Jota, Idah, Maeda
We say: Dundee United 0-3 Celtic
Dundee Utd may have ended the season on a high, but with Celtic in superb form after 5-0 and 5-1 victories, and also boasting a superb record against the Tangerines, we expect a comfortable victory for the away team.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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