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

Both sides will be looking to get back to winning ways after recording losses last time out.

Match preview

Before the international break, Celtic saw their 38-game unbeaten run in the Scottish Premiership grind to a halt with a 2-0 defeat away to St Mirren, which cut their lead at the top of the table to two points.

Goals from Mark O'Hara and Jonah Ayunga were enough to gift the hosts a shock victory in a clash where the Hoops chose to rest key men such as Matt O'Riley, Jota and Reo Hatate from the start in light of their UEFA Champions League exploits a few days earlier.

Ange Postecoglou will be keen to move on from a rare blip in his tenure so far in Glasgow and regain the clinical edge that has seen his side score no fewer than 25 goals this season in the league.

Furthermore, Celtic have been almost imperious at home in the Scottish Premiership in the last 18 months, not losing on their own patch since a 2-1 loss to St Mirren in 2020-21.

In front of a noisy Celtic Park crowd, there will be a keen expectation that the hosts put in a strong performance as they set their sights on maintaining their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

Due to Hearts and Rangers kicking off the weekend's action at 12.30pm on Saturday, Celtic may even have a chance to extend their foothold in the title race come mid-afternoon if the Edinburgh side can take a result.

Motherwell travel to nearby Glasgow in need of rediscovering their goalscoring touch, having not converted a single chance in their last two matches domestically.

In their last outing at home to Hearts, Steven Hammell's outfit was particularly unfortunate with the final outcome. Despite registering 25 shots on goal, they drew a blank and went on to taste a confidence-sapping 3-0 defeat.

Currently situated in eighth position in the table, the visitors have not won in the league across their last three outings and have struggled to impose themselves fully in these contests.

No doubt adding pressure ahead of this weekend due to their slump in form, the Well will be keen to avoid being dragged closer to a relegation dogfight as the season progresses.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

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Celtic form (all competitions):

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Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

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Motherwell form (all competitions):

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Team News

Ahead of this weekend, it looks as if Celtic striker Giorgos Giakoumakis will be ruled out of facing Motherwell due to a knock sustained on international duty with Greece.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is a major doubt for the Scottish champions, which could pave the way for one of Moritz Jenz or Stephen Welsh to fill in at central defence.

It is unclear whether either Sead Haksabanovic or Daizen Maeda will be included in the matchday squad by Ange Postecoglou, due to niggles picked up during their exploits with their respective national sides.

Carl Starfelt is another doubt for the Hoops against Motherwell because of a knee injury, whilst there is hope that David Turnbull and Liel Abada will be able to feature on Saturday.

As for the visitors, Jake Carroll remains a long-term absentee after suffering a knee injury in training in early August.

On the other hand, Ricki Lamie and Joe Efford are expected to be available for selection despite limping off against Heart of Midlothian in their last fixture.

Winger Rolando Aarons remains doubtful for Motherwell due to a hamstring problem he picked up in the same match.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Juranovic, Jenz, Welsh, Taylor; McGregor, Hatate, O'Riley; Jota, Furuhashi, Abada

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; McGinn, Solholm Johansen, Lamie, Penney; Maguire, Goss; McKinstry, Tierney, Spittal; Van Veen

We say: Celtic 3-0 Motherwell

Celtic will see this game as an ideal opportunity to get back to their best against a Motherwell side in an indifferent run of form.

Although the Steelmen will provide a stern test for the champions, the Hoops will prove to be too hot to handle and secure the three points in comfortable fashion.

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