Top of the table Celtic will take on Motherwell on Saturday and will be looking to build on their four-point lead at the summit of the Scottish Premiership. The Hoops are on a roll this season and are still unbeaten in the Premiership after seven games. They hold a four-point lead over second-placed Aberdeen that too with a game in hand. Brendan Rodgers’ boys did not look at their best prior to the international break but still managed to grind out a 0-1 win against Dundee away from home.
Motherwell have lost just one of their last five and seem like a team that can come up with an upset. However, it was not even close when the two sides met earlier this season which was in the round of 16 of the League Cup where Celtic thrashed Motherwell 5-0.
The two sides met each other four times in the Premiership last season and Celtic won thrice losing once. Overall records are also in Celtic’s favour as the Bhoys beat Motherwell 32 times in the Premiership till date while losing six and drawing six.
Here is the predicted Celtic lineup against Motherwell.
Defence
We expect Craig Gordon to keep his place under the bar ahead of Dorus de Vries who had his chance to replace the Scottish international as the club’s number one but failed. Mikael Lustig is a doubt for the game after suffering a minor knock during the international duty which means Cristian Gamboa will start in the right back position.
Kolo Toure is expected to start at the heart of the defence alongside Danish international Erik Sviatchenko. Jozo Simunovic has done really well since his comeback from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with an injury but as of now, he is not the first-choice. Youngster Kieran Tierney will keep his place in the left-back position and will be looking to impress once again.
Midfield
Skipper Scott Brown was the saviour for Celtic ahead of the international break scoring the only goal against Dundee. The 31-year-old will keep his place in the middle of the park alongside Nir Bitton. Tom Rogic will keep his place in the number ten role. James Forrest and Scott Sinclair both have been brilliant this season on the flanks and will keep their respective places.
Attack
We expect Leigh Griffiths to replace Moussa Dembele as the centre forward against Motherwell. The young Frenchman has done a brilliant job to fill in the void of Griffiths when he was missing with an injury but Griffiths’ proficiency is something else and Celtic need him back in the starting XI. 
