Celticvs.Hibernian

The hosts comfortably defeated Raith Rovers 5-0 in the last round of this competition, while the visitors narrowly progressed past Ayr United with a 1-0 win.

Match preview

Celtic are unsurprisingly the dominant force once again in Scottish football this season, having already lifted the Scottish League Cup, on course to win the Scottish Premiership title and still in contention to defend their Scottish FA Cup trophy.

The Bhoys have suffered only five defeats from their 45 matches across all competitions this campaign, although three of those losses have come in their last 10 outings.

The latest of those losses was a 2-1 defeat to Sunday's opponents in the Scottish Premiership, but Celtic have bounced back in fantastic fashion, beating Aberdeen 5-1 and St Mirren 5-2.

Brendan Rodgers will be looking for his side to continue that winning run when they take on Hibernian, with the Bhoys aiming to defend their Scottish FA Cup trophy for the third successive season.

Hibernian have already proven themselves to be formidable opponents for Celtic, though, having secured a 2-1 victory in late February, while they are in superb form coming into this matchup.

Hibs won only five of their opening 21 games across all competitions this season, but they have subsequently remained undefeated in the next 15 outings, with 11 wins and four draws.

That streak includes victories over Clydebank FC, 3-0, and Ayr United, 1-0, in the previous two rounds of this tournament, and David Gray will be hoping his men can move one step closer to the trophy with a win on Sunday.

While Hibs will be full of confidence given their form and recent victory against Celtic, their overall recent record against the Bhoys is extremely poor, with only one win in the last seven encounters.

Celtic Scottish Cup form:

W

W

Celtic form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

W

W

Hibernian Scottish Cup form:

W

W

Hibernian form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

W

W

Team News

The hosts will be without Auston Trusty (head), James Forrest (foot) and Paulo Bernardo (ankle) due to ongoing injury issues, but the rest of the squad should be available for selection.

After coming off the bench to score twice in their victory over St Mirren, Yang Hyun-Jun could come into the starting team, partnering Adam Idah and Jota in attack.

Liam Scales is likely to partner Cameron Carter-Vickers in central defence, while Anthony Ralston and Greg Taylor could play from full-back positions.

As for Hibernian, Joe Newell is unavailable for selection due to a groin injury, while Warren O'Hora is a doubt after coming off with an injury in their last outing.

The rest of the starting side could remain unchanged from the team that defeated Hearts 2-1 last weekend, with Martin Boyle partnering Kieron Bowie in attack.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, McCowan; Hyun-Jun, Idah, Jota

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Smith; Miller, Kiranga, Iredale; C Cadden, Triantis, Moriah-Welsh, N Cadden; Campbell; Boyle, Bowie

We say: Celtic 3-1 Hibernian

Written by

Ellis Stevens

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