Preview: St Mirren vs. Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

The Bhoys come in on the back of a Champions League draw away at Shakhtar Donetsk, after kicking off their title defence with six straight wins.

Match preview

St Mirren have certainly experienced a mixed start to the Scottish Premiership season under the management of Stephen Robinson, as they suffered defeats to Motherwell and Aberdeen in their first two outings, with the latter being a concerning 4-1 beating.

The Buddies then managed to put their first points on the board in a 1-0 home win over Ross County, as Richard Tait hit the only goal of the game, before they made it back-to-back triumphs with a 3-0 victory away at St Mirren, courtesy of a Curtis Main brace and a late Alex Greive goal.

Looking to make it three on the bounce, Robinson's side then hosted Hibernian and continued their run with another 1-0 win, having held out for all three points throughout the contest after Keanu Baccus netted the only goal in the sixth minute.

That meant they travelled to St Johnstone with the chance to make it four straight top-flight victories for the first time since 2008, but the Buddies would trail from the 26th minute as Nicky Clark opened the scoring, and second-half goals from Drey Wright and Graham Carey saw them condemned to a 3-0 defeat.

Nonetheless, Robinson's men should still be relatively pleased with their start producing nine points from six games, but, following the postponement of last weekend's fixtures due to Queen Elizabeth II's passing, they face a particularly unenviable task on their return to action against the runaway leaders.

After winning back the Scottish Premiership title last season, Celtic set out to retain their crown this time around, and they made a perfect start with wins over Aberdeen, Ross County, Kilmarnock and Hearts in the opening four outings, scoring 12 goals and conceding only once in the process.

Ange Postecoglou's side would then make it five on the bounce with a 9-0 thrashing of Dundee United away from home - their biggest ever win on their travels - as Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada both netted hat-tricks alongside goals from Jota, Josip Juranovic and Carl Starfelt.

On the back of that flawless start, the Bhoys then headed into the first Old Firm Derby of the season at home to Glasgow rivals Rangers, and they were able to stretch their lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership to five points after just six games with another comprehensive victory, eventually winning 4-0 as Abada hit a brace and Jota and David Turnbull also got on the scoresheet.

Celtic then turned their focus to Champions League action, as they welcomed defending champions Real Madrid to Glasgow last week, and, following a 3-0 defeat and the postponement of the weekend's fixtures, their return to action would also come on the continent as they travelled to Shakhtar Donetsk in the second round of group fixtures on Wednesday.

An early own goal from Artem Bondarenko gave the Bhoys the lead, but the hosts levelled on the half-hour mark, and, after that game finished level, Postecoglou's men will now switch their attention back to their title defence and look to make it seven league wins on the bounce to further strengthen their lead over Rangers and the chasing pack.

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form:

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

Celtic form (all competitions):

Team News

Following a 3-0 defeat in their last league outing, St Mirren may make some changes for Sunday's contest, with Joe Shaughnessy in line to come into the back three and the likes of Scott Tanser and Ryan Flynn also knocking on the door.

Curtis Main should again lead the line, with Alex Greive, Eamonn Brophy and Jonah Ayunga, who has been preferred recently, set to fight for the second spot in a 3-5-2 setup.

After sustaining an injury against Rangers, Kyogo Furuhashi was fit to return to the Celtic starting XI for the trip to Shakhtar Donetsk, and the Japanese international should again lead the line having hit six goals in six league appearances this term.

Winger Liel Abada also boasts six league goals and should also start in the front three with Portuguese talent Jota on the other flank, although Daizen Maida and Giorgos Giakoumakis are also pushing for spots in attack.

Callum McGregor will again be joined by Reo Hatate in midfield, with Matt O'Riley, Aaron Mooy and David Turnbull likely fighting for the other place, while summer signing Moritz Jenz has recently joined Cameron Carter-Vickers in the middle of the back four.

St Mirren possible starting lineup:

Carson; Gallagher, Shaughnessy, Dunne; Strain, Baccus, O'Hara, Erhahon, Tanser; Main, Ayunga

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Juranovic, Jenz, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; Hatate, McGregor, O'Riley; Abada, Furuhashi, Jota

We say: St Mirren 0-3 Celtic

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