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

The penultimate round of a gruelling campaign sees the Glasgow giants clash with a home side needing points to have any chance of stealing a top-four finish.

Match preview

A week after suffering their first league defeat for nearly eight months, Celtic could not make a return to winning ways when they welcomed St Mirren to Parkhead on Saturday.

In fact, the Hoops had to rely on an 81st-minute equaliser from captain Callum McGregor to salvage a 2-2 draw, and they have now won only once in their last four Premiership fixtures.

Such form may be understandable given they have already clinched the title with weeks to spare, but ahead of the Scottish Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle - when the treble will be up for grabs - it is a cause for concern.

Before arriving at Hampden Park next month, Ange Postecoglou's side will aim to at least maintain their eight-point margin over second-placed Rangers and - having already bettered last season's tally of 93 - can still try to reach the 100-point mark for just a third time in their history.

In addition, scoring five more times across their final two games would see them surpass the legendary Lisbon Lions of 1966-67, who racked up 111 league goals on their way into the record books.

Next week, Celtic host Aberdeen to round off a successful defence of their Premiership crown, but first they will try to post four wins over Hibernian in a season for the first time in 26 years.

All told, Hibs are winless in some 17 meetings with Celtic across all competitions; losing on 11 occasions during that time.

Since a 2-0 league win in December 2018 - under ex-Hoops boss Neil Lennon - the Edinburgh club have relentlessly tried and failed to halt such a streak, but to no avail.

After seeing a four-match unbeaten run ended by Celtic's city rivals last time out, Lee Johnson's men have four points to make up on old foes Hearts with just two rounds remaining, and hopes of sneaking into the top four are fast receding.

Paul Hanlon netted Hibernian's late consolation in a 3-1 defeat to Rangers, and after hosting Glasgow's other powerhouse in midweek, a crucial derby then awaits on the season's final day.

Scotland's European places would ultimately stretch down to fifth place in the table if Celtic beat Inverness in the cup final, but Hibs would prefer to win their last two games and enter through the front door.

However, adding to their dismal record against Wednesday's visitors, a strange precedent suggests that could be a very tall order: Hibs are winless in 11 midweek league matches since beating Aberdeen back in December 2021.

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:

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W

D

W

D

L

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

D

W

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D

Celtic form (all competitions):

W

D

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Team News

Having bagged his 25th league goal of the season on Saturday, it remains to be seen whether Celtic's top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi will now start at Easter Road, with Oh Hyeon-gyu on standby should Ange Postecoglou opt to rest his star striker again.

Daizen Maeda is likely to keep his place in the visitors' front three, having previously scored in three of his five Premiership appearances against Hibernian - including one at Easter Road in December.

Once again, the champions are set to be without injured quartet Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Stephen Welsh and James McCarthy due to injury.

Meanwhile, Mykola Kuharevych missed Hibs' game against Rangers, joining longer-term absentees Martin Boyle, Aiden McGeady and Kyle Magennis on the sidelines.

Jake Doyle-Hayes is back in action following a concussion, though, and the Irish midfielder could be promoted to the hosts' starting lineup on Wednesday.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:

Marshall; Egan-Riley, Fish, Hanlon, Stevenson; Jeggo; Cadden, Doyle-Hayes, Newell, Youan; Nisbet

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Ralston, Starfelt, Iwata, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Jota, Furuhashi, Maeda

We say: Hibernian 1-2 Celtic

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