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

Hoping to delay Celtic's title celebrations, Hearts will be looking to build on an eye-catching 6-1 thrashing of Ross County last time out.

Match preview

Hearts head into the second phase of the Scottish Premiership season with renewed hope after ending a run of five straight losses with a commanding victory over Ross County a fortnight ago.

The Jam Tarts dominated the Staggies throughout the contest, racking up 30 shots while enjoying 64% possession, with Josh Ginnelly bagging a brace and Lawrence Shankland netting a hat-trick.

Shankland has now scored 21 goals in 32 Premiership matches this season, contributing almost 40% of his team's league goals, while only Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi has scored more goals in Scotland's top tier in 2022-23.

Although Hearts have lost seven of their last 10 league games, they will be hopeful of finishing the campaign on a high note under interim manager Steven Naismith, who replaced Robbie Neilson in the Tynecastle hot seat last month.

Not only have Hearts won three of their last four home league matches, but they have also won seven of their previous nine, giving Naismith plenty of reasons for optimism ahead of the visit of Celtic.

Ange Postecoglou's men finished the first phase of the Scottish Premiership season with a shock 1-1 draw against Motherwell, who ended Celtic's 17-game winning streak in the process.

However, the Bhoys bounced straight back with a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Rangers in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup, meaning that a domestic treble is well and truly on the cards.

Celtic have been almost unstoppable in the Premiership this season, winning 30 of their 33 encounters to leave them 13 points clear of Rangers with five matches remaining, with a solitary defeat coming throughout 2022-23.

With a whopping 103 goals to their name, Postecoglou's side average more than three goals per game in the league this term, and they also boast the best defensive record in the division, having conceded just 25 goals.

Bidding to clinch an 11th Scottish Premiership crown in 12 years, Celtic will be eager to secure the silverware as early as possible, although the title celebrations are inevitable.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

L

L

L

W

Hearts form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

L

W

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

W

W

W

D

Celtic form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

D

W

Team News

Hearts currently have three players sidelined with knee injuries, with Beni Baningime, Liam Boyce and Craig Halkett set to miss the visit of Celtic.

Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon also remains sidelined due to a broken leg, while Gary Mackay-Steven will miss Sunday's clash with a foot injury.

Top scorer Lawrence Shankland will continue in attack, with Cameron Devlin and Peter Haring anchoring the midfield ahead of Toby Sibbick and Kye Rowles in central defence.

Celtic, on the other hand, look set to be without the injured pair of Liel Abada and James Forrest for the foreseeable future, while Alistair Johnston is also likely to be absent this weekend.

Daizen Maeda and Jota are expected to join Kyogo Furuhashi the visitors' forward line, with Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Matt O'Riley lining up in midfield.

Joe Hart will retain his place between the sticks, while Anthony Ralston is favoured to replace the injured Johnston at right-back.

Hearts possible starting lineup:

Clark; Atkinson, Sibbick, Rowels, Cochrane; Devlin, Haring; Oda, Shankland, McKay; Ginnelly

Celtic possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Hearts 1-3 Celtic

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