Top of the table Celtic will travel to Tulloch Caledonian Stadium on Sunday to take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday. The Hoops boast a 100% record in the Premiership right now having defeated Hearts, St. Johnstone, Aberdeen and Rangers so far. 15 goals scored and five conceded in the process, Celtic will be looking to make it five out of five while taking on lowly-placed Inverness on Sunday.
It was an embarrassing outing for Celtic in the midweek when they were thrashed 7-0 by Barcelona in the Champions League at Camp Nou and Rodgers will be looking for a strong response from his boys. Inverness look like a cakewalk for Celtic at least on paper. The Pride of the Highlands have won just one game this season and have drawn just one losing the other three. However, their win was against high-flying St. Johnstone and they are on the back of a 1-1 against Aberdeen. So, ideally saying the hosts are in a decent shape right now despite just one place and one point above of bottom of the table Partick Thistle.
Team news
Inverness
Inverness will select from a fully-fit squad with the exception of reserve goalkeeper Ryan Esson, who remains on the sidelines with an elbow injury.
Celtic
Leigh Griffiths will miss the third straight game with a calf injury.
Predicted lineups and tactical setups
Inverness
Richie Foran will field his side in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Fon Williams under the bar behind the back four of McKay, Warren, Meekings and Tremarco. Polwarth and Draper will start in the middle of the park. King and Tansey will start on the flanks with Vigurs operating as a supporting striker behind Fisher.
Starting XI: Fon Williams; McKay, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco; King, Draper, Polwarth, Tansey; Vigrus; Fisher
Celtic
Brendan Rodgers’ boys will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Dorus de Vries is likely to continue under the bar ahead of Gordon. The back four is expected to be Gamboa, Toure, Sviatchenko and Tierney. Bitton is likely to start in midfield alongside McGregor. Rogic will start as the number ten with Forrest and Sinclair on the flanks. Moussa Dembele will start as the number nine.
Starting XI: de Vries; Gamboa, Toure, Sviatchenko, Tierney; Bitton, McGregor; Forrest, Rogic, Sinclair; Dembele
Key Players
Inverness
Ross Draper: The 27-year-old central midfielder has been in a scintillating form so far this season scoring thrice and setting up once in just five games. The Englishman will be the key player for the hosts.
Moussa Dembele: With Leigh Griffiths’ injury, Dembele will spearhead Celtic’s attack. The young Frenchman was top-notch against Rangers last week with a hat-trick and an assist. However, he was pretty average against Barcelona in the midweek, missing a crucial penalty.
Betting odds
Inverness win – 9.6/1
Draw – 4.8/1
Celtic win – 1.36/1
