Aberdeen host Celtic for the 28th match of the Scottish League knowing that a defeat against the Hoops will all but end their chances of winning the league. Brendan Rodgers’ men are at the top of the table with 61 points while Rangers and Aberdeen are tied on 52 points in second and third place respectively. With only five more games to after this round, Aberdeen will know that they must collect all 3 points if they are to retain their feeble hope of making a late charge for the title.
The story of Celtic’s season so far has been contrasting, to say the least. While on the domestic front they have been nothing but ruthless and dominating, their Champions League adventure has seen them struggle in front of the European powerhouses.
Celtic have collected have won eighteen and drawn seven in the league with just two defeats to record. However, they opened their Champions League campaign with a heavy defeat drubbing at the hands of Paris Saint Germain.
The French outfit unleashed the likes of Neymar and Mbappe on the Scottish champions and Celtic were handed a 5-0 thrashing on their opening Champions League night. They bounced back in the next match against Anderlecht with a 3-0 win but Brendan Rodger’s men will found themselves with hands full when they went head to head with Germany’s Champions Bayern Munich this week. They went on to lose the match 3-0.
Celtic were always outsiders in a group consisting of the likes of Paris Saint Germain and Bayern Munich. With two teams qualifying for the knockout stages, the task to topple one of the two giants was always going to be difficult. They fared rather poorly in the Europa League as well and were beaten 3-1 on aggregate in the round of 16 leaving the league as their biggest trophy target this season.
Here is how they will look to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation
Defence
Craig Gordon is still out injured meaning that Dorus de Vries will be expected in goal. The defensive four for Celtic is likely to be Kieran Tierney at left back with Mikael Lustig most likely to play at right back. Kristoffer Ajer is likely to be partnered at centre back with Jozo Šimunović.
Midfield
The two-man midfield axis is likely to be made of Callum McGregor alongside Celtic’s star midfielder Scott Brown with Olivier Ntcham sitting on the bench. The three players in front of them will probably be Scott Sinclair on the left wing, Tom Rogic at the centre and James Forrest likely to operate on the right flank.
Attack
Moussa Dembele can be expected to lead the line.
