Preview: Celtic vs. Dundee United - prediction, team news, lineups

The Hoops currently sit four points clear of rivals Rangers at the summit, while the Tangerines have slipped down to 11th place.

Match preview

Celtic ended their disappointing Champions League group-stage campaign with a 5-1 defeat away at reigning champions Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.

After Luka Modric and Rodrygo both scored penalties in the opening 20 minutes, Celtic were awarded a spot kick of their own 10 minutes before half time, but Josip Juranovic saw his effort from 12 yards saved by Thibaut Courtois.

Jota netted a consolation goal six minutes from time after strikes from Marco Asensio, Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde rubbed salt into Celtic's wounds, and the Hoops completed Group F without a win from six fixtures.

Ange Postecoglou's side now turn their attention back to the Premiership, with three more fixtures against Dundee United, Motherwell and Ross County before the World Cup break.

Celtic have put together an impressive 30-game unbeaten home run in the top flight, with the last 24 of this run under the tutelage of Postecoglou. The Australian boss could become just the third manger in the club's history to go unbeaten in his first 25 league matches after David Hay (27 games unbeaten in 1983-84) and Brendan Rodgers (37 games unbeaten between 2016 and 2018).

The Hoops will be confident of success against Dundee United as they are unbeaten in their last 17 meetings against the Tangerines since a 2-1 away defeat in December 2014 under former boss Ronny Deila.

After picking up seven points from a possible nine available at the beginning of October, Dundee United have since lost their last three matches across all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat at home to Motherwell last weekend.

Sondre Johansen scored the only goal of the game for the visitors in the 22nd minute, and the hosts had to play more than half the contest with only 10 men after Tony Watt was controversially sent off for a late challenge following a VAR review - a decision which has since been rescinded following a successful appeal.

Liam Fox now sees his side sitting 11th in the Premiership table, level on points with basement club Ross County and three points adrift of 10th-placed Kilmarnock, who the Tangerines face next week.

Dundee United have struggled on their travels so far this season and head to Parkhead on Saturday after winning only one of their last nine away matches across all competitions - a 2-1 League Cup victory against Livingston in August.

Tangerine supporters will have to go all the way back to December 1992 for their last win away at Celtic, when Duncan Ferguson sealed a 1-0 win under former boss Jim McLean.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

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Celtic form (all competitions):

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Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

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Team News

Postecoglou has revealed that Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers "should be right" for Saturday's clash, after missing the midweek defeat against Real Madrid with a knee injury.

The Hoops will still be without captain Callum McGregor who is recovering from his own knee problem, with Matt O'Riley and Reo Hatete set to be joined in midfield by either Aaron Mooy or David Turnbull.

After coming off the bench in midweek to score on his return to the side following a spell out with a muscle injury, Portuguese winger Jota could be handed a start in attack, with Liel Abda, James Forrest and Sead Haksabanovic also pushing for a place in the first XI.

As for Dundee United, Tony Watt is available for selection after winning his appeal against the red card that he received last weekend, and the former Celtic striker is expected to start up front alongside Steven Fletcher.

Dylan Levitt, who has been suffering with a knee problem, lasted for only 45 minutes against Motherwell and the midfielder will be assessed ahead of kickoff to see if he can start at Parkhead.

Mark Birighitti is set to retain his place between the sticks ahead of Carljohan Eriksson, while Liam Smith, Ryan Edwards and Scott McMann are all expected to continue in the back three.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; Turnbull, O'Riley, Hatate; Jota, Furuhashi, Forrest

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Birighitti; Smith, Edwards, McMann; Freeman, Sibbald, Levitt, McGrath, Behich; Watt, Fletcher

We say: Celtic 3-0 Dundee United

Celtic will be regarded as strong favourites to claim maximum points on Saturday as they bid to move seven points clear of Rangers before they face St Johnstone on Sunday.

The Hoops have excelled on home soil for several months on the domestic front and they should have few problems in securing a routine victory against Dundee United.

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