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

At a time when the home side hold a nine-point lead in first position, the fourth-placed visitors travel to Glasgow having put together a five-match unbeaten streak of their own.

Match preview

There was a time when Celtic returned from the World Cup break when it appeared that they were struggling to rediscover their relentless domestic form up until November.

However, on the back of five victories and clean sheets, there is no longer any doubt, Ange Postecoglou's side ensuring that they remain nine points clear of Rangers.

The form of their Glasgow rivals may have helped in keeping Celtic on track, although they had to rely on two second-half goals to prevail at Dundee United on Sunday.

With no European football to look forward to, Celtic can focus on trying to win the treble, and they only face one away fixture in four matches before they play Rangers in the League Cup final on February 26.

Still boasting a perfect home record in the league, no-one will expect Celtic to falter over the coming weeks, yet they are facing a team in form on Wednesday.

Since suffering back-to-back defeats on December 21 and December 24, Livingston have put together a six-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

As well as progressing in the Scottish Cup, nine points from five games in the league have ensured that they hold a two-point advantage in fourth spot.

Despite only drawing 0-0 with Hearts on Sunday, David Martindale will still have ambitions of chasing down third place, the current deficit being seven points with a match in hand.

Livingston pushed Celtic to the limit in the same fixture on December 21, only losing by a 2-1 scoreline with all three goals being netted in the first half.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

D

W

W

W

Celtic form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

W

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

D

W

W

D

Livingston form (all competitions):

D

D

W

W

W

D

Team News

Given the three-day turnaround, Postecoglou will almost certainly look to rotate some of his Celtic players for this contest.

Matt O'Riley and David Turnbull could both come back into the midfield, while Daizen Maeda is in contention of a recall in the final third.

Yuki Kobayashi may also return in the middle of the backline, although Carl Starfelt could keep his spot given Livingston's position in the table.

Jack Fitzwater's place in the centre of defence is dependent on the level of interest in his signature before Tuesday's deadline.

Ayo Obileye is on standby to take his spot if a transfer takes materialises, and it may prove to be the only alteration.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Turnbull; Abada, Furuhashi, Maeda

Livingston possible starting lineup:

George; Devlin, Fitzwater, Boyes, Penrice; Omeonga, Se.Kelly, Pittman; Bradley, Anderson, St.Kelly

We say: Celtic 3-0 Livingston

Although Livingston will relish the chance to test themselves at Celtic Park, it comes at a time when they may be distracted by transfer talk. With that in mind, we expect Celtic to cruise to a comfortable win, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

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