Celtic travel to Kilmarnock on Wednesday evening looking for maximum points to keep their Scottish Premier League title bid (8/15 Outright) on track ahead of Sunday’s make-or-break Old Firm derby with Rangers.
Neil Lennon’s side remain on course for a league and Scottish Cup (Celtic 1/4 Winner) double following Sunday’s 4-0 semi-final win against 10-man Aberdeen at Hampden Park which set up a final date against Motherwell next month.
And, while they will know how important it is to secure three points at Rugby Park on Wednesday after Rangers travel to Dundee United on Tuesday, the Hoops will no doubt be going all out for the win regardless.
A win for Walter Smith’s Gers at Tannadice will move them four points clear at the top of the SPL (11/8 Outright), but Celtic will have two games in hand, including the trip to face Killie, to try and overhaul their Glasgow rivals.
It is all set for a nervous climax to the campaign for the Bhoys and the loss of key midfielder Joe Ledley to a hamstring problem picked up against Aberdeen will not help matters.
But Lennon is boosted by Shaun Maloney’s (11/8 Anytime Goalscorer) timely return from a long-term injury and he is ready to fill the void for the final seven matches if required.
Celtic head into the Killie clash in good form of late having won five and lost one of their last six games – including four wins on the bounce with only one goal conceded.
The Hoops secured a narrow 2-1 win at Rugby Park earlier in the season, but will go into this latest encounter on the back of a three-match winning streak on their travels.
Kilmarnock sit in fifth position in the SPL and held Celtic to a 1-1 draw in their last meeting at Parkhead on December 21 so they will not be overawed going into this match.
Caretaker boss Kenny Shiels, who is aiming to ensure he is named permanent boss having replacing Finland-bound Mixu Paatelainen in March, will do his chances the power of good by following up two draws with the prized scalp of Celtic (13/2 Home Win 90 Minutes).
They are unbeaten in their last four home games with two wins and three draws (18/5 Draw 90 Minutes) from the last six played at Rugby Park so they will not be rolling over for Celtic.
Despite the hosts being hard to beat, Celtic will have built up a head of steam after that Scottish Cup win and they should edge a narrow game to secure the points.
Prediction: Celtic/Celtic Half-Time/Full-Time @ Evens
Value Bet: Celtic To Win 2-1 @ 7/1
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