Preview: Celtic vs. Kilmarnock - prediction, team news, lineups

Both sides faced off last weekend in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park, with the Hoops claiming three points on home soil.

Match preview

Celtic are unbeaten in nine matches across all competitions and make the trip to Hampden in fine form, sitting nine points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

Ange Postecoglou has once again instilled his attacking philosophy in Scottish football to great effect, evidenced by the fact the Hoops have scored 65 goals in 21 league encounters this season.

Last time out, a Jota goal and an Ash Taylor blunder that forced the ball into his own net gifted Celtic a deserved 2-0 victory over Kilmarnock.

Attention will now turn to the Scottish League Cup semi-finals, where Celtic will be aiming to defend the trophy they claimed against Hibernian in a 2-1 triumph last season.

Kilmarnock showed last week that they will provide tough opposition, though Postecoglou and his men will feel confident of advancing to the final.

Kilmarnock have lost just once in their last four games under Derek McInnes and will be keen to make some history of their own by achieving a spot in the Scottish League Cup final.

The Ayrshire side has improved upon their position in the Scottish Premiership over the last few weeks, occupying ninth in the table as they look to avoid the relegation zone.

Celtic disposed of Kilmarnock last week in the end, though the away supporters will have been encouraged by their disciplined performance as they managed to frustrate the hosts for long periods of the game.

Despite not being the most pleasing side to watch on the eye, McInnes has developed a strategy to regularly gain results in Scottish football and deserves praise for his tactical wisdom.

The Kilmarnock boss will be hoping for another gutsy performance at Hampden this weekend as his side looks to put their name into the hat to play the winner of Rangers or Aberdeen in the final.

Celtic Scottish League Cup form:

W

W

Celtic form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

W

Kilmarnock Scottish League Cup form:

W

L

W

W

W

W

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

D

L

Team News

Celtic winger Sead Haksabanovic could return if he gets over the worse of a foot problem, while James McCarthy will miss the tie due to a significant hamstring injury.

Stephen Welsh is out due to picking up a knock and will be joined by Anthony Ralston, who is still suffering from an issue with his back.

New signing Tomoki Iwata is in the country and he could be included in the matchday squad and potentially make his Celtic bow.

For Kilmarnock, Kyle Lafferty has returned from a long suspension due to off-field conduct and is readily available to lead the line if needed.

Jeriel Dorsett is still some way off from being able to feature, making him a certain absentee for his side in the semi-finals.

Striker Innes Cameron is still feeling the full force of a hamstring injury and is not expected to return to action until the end of the month.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate; Jota, Maeda, Furuhashi

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Walker; Wright, Taylor, Stokes; Mayo, McKenzie, Polworth, Power, Chrisene; Robinson, Lafferty

We say: Celtic 3-0 Kilmarnock

In a match that could produce dramatic scenes at Hampden Park, we expect both sides to compete with intent as they search for cup glory.

Previews by email