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

The champions elect find themselves 12 points clear of Rangers with six games remaining, while Motherwell occupy eighth place in the table - 55 points behind Celtic.

Match preview

Celtic raced into a 4-0 lead against Kilmarnock inside 27 minutes last weekend, with goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda preceding a quick-fire brace from Matt O'Riley.

Although Celtic failed to add to their tally after the early rout - conceding on the stroke of half time to come away with a 4-1 victory - Ange Postecoglou's men remained dominant throughout the contest, racking up 16 shots while enjoying 77% possession.

This is the kind of dominance that Celtic fans have grown accustomed to under Postecoglou, who has overseen a run of 17 straight wins across all competitions since January.

In terms of the bigger picture, the Bhoys have won 30 of their 32 Premiership games this season, suffering a solitary defeat along the way, while last weekend's triumph saw them surpass the 100-goal milestone in the league.

Having won all 16 of their Premiership matches at Celtic Park this term - including a 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Rangers earlier this month - Postecoglou's men look destined to get their hands on the trophy sooner rather than later.

Under the guidance of new manager Stuart Kettlewell, Motherwell have the seemingly impossible challenge of preventing Celtic from claiming all three points on home soil this weekend.

The Steelmen parted ways with Steven Hammell following a four-game losing run in February, appointing Kettlewell as interim manager, but the new boss was given the role on a permanent basis after winning his first two games.

There is no denying that Kettlewell has made a big impact in North Lanarkshire, as Motherwell have won five of their eight matches since the 38-year-old took charge.

Having taken 16 points from a possible 24 under Kettlewell's watch - defeating St Mirren, Hearts, Ross County, Hibernian and Livingston in the process - Motherwell will fancy their chances of frustrating Celtic.

It is worth remembering that Motherwell have pushed Celtic all the way on two occasions this season, suffering a couple of 2-1 defeats before the turn of the year, so the visitors can take confidence from their recent performances against the runaway leaders.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Celtic form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

W

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

D

W

L

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W

L

Team News

Kyogo Furuhashi took his tally for the season to 29 goals in 42 appearances last time out, including 23 goals in 30 league games, so the Japan international will continue to lead for Celtic.

Sead Haksabanovic, Daizen Maeda and Matt O'Riley are likely to support Furuhashi in attack, with Callum McGregor and Tomoki Iwata operating in defensive midfield.

Veteran goalkeeper Joe Hart will go in search of his 15th Premiership clean sheet of the campaign this weekend, while Yuki Kobayashi and Carl Starfelt are expected to remain at centre-back.

On the injury front, Liel Abada (knock), James Forrest (muscle), Reo Hatate (muscle) and James McCarthy (muscle) are all unavailable for the hosts.

Motherwell are still without long-term absentee Nathan McGinley, while Jake Carroll (knee), Jonathan Obika (muscle) and Ross Tierney (groin) are also out injured.

On top of that, there are question marks over the fitness of Joseph Efford, who has not featured since October due to a thigh injury.

Mikael Mandron and Blair Spittal will continue to offer attacking support to Kevin van Veen, who scored his eighth goal in five games as Motherwell lost 2-1 to Dundee United last weekend.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Johnston, Starfelt, Kobayashi, Taylor; Iwata, McGroger; Haksabanovic, O'Riley, Maeda; Furuhashi

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; McGinn, Butcher, Casey; Johnston, Goss, Cornelius, Furlong; Spittal; Van Veen, Mandron

We say: Celtic 4-0 Motherwell

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