Despite a dismal run in Europe, Celtic have bounced back splendidly in domestic competitions and made it to the final of Scottish League Cup defeating Hearts 3-0. They have clinched some commanding Premiership wins of late and are expected to stretch the streak on Wednesday night when they clash heads with bottom-placed Dundee at Dens Park. The Dee are in deep trouble since the start of the 2018-19 campaign and a game against Celtic too severe a test for them to deal with considering their current problem.
The Hoops, meanwhile, have struggled on the road so far but must expect a stroll in the park despite suffering an array of injury woes. Brendan Rodgers, the Parkhead boss, has led his men to a double treble during his two-year tutelage and should motivate them to maintain the supremacy in all domestic tournaments.
A win this midweek will take them closer to league leaders Hearts, and the fans must be dreaming their eighth successive league triumph ahead of Rangers, the bitter rivals who have improved immensely under new chief Steven Gerrard.
Team News
Celtic suffered a couple of defensive blows last midweek when both Cristian Gamboa and Jozo Simunovic were forced to leave the pitch against RB Leipzig in their European encounter. The weekend fixture against the Jambos saw the Hoops suffering fresh injury concerns with midfield duo Eboue Kouassi and Olivier Ntcham leaving prematurely in their 3-0 victory.
Skipper Scott Brown continues to be sidelined with a calf strain whereas Nir Bitton and Marvin Compper remain the long-term injury absentees. Youngster Michael Johnston returned to team training. However, target man Leigh Griffiths continues to be an injury doubt following a calf strain suffered last week.
Formation
So many casualties might force Rodgers to tweak his team set-up. The ex-Liverpool boss has often been experimental with formations, but a 4-2-3-1 against Hearts saw him regaining a grip on the game after quite a long. He should retain a similar arrangement on Wednesday night to make things stable for the remainder of the season.
Defence
Scott Bain was preferred in goal against the Jambos at Murrayfield, but the Scotsman is likely to make his way for fellow countryman Craig Gordon, the veteran custodian who has been the ‘number 1’ since summer of 2014.
Mikael Lustig had a few nervy outings in recent weeks, but his experience in the right-back slot would benefit the Hoops defensively. Youngster Kieran Tierney will keep on troubling his opponents from the other flank with crosses, cut insides and overlapping runs whereas Dedryck Boyata would return in central defence after missing out the Hearts game due to suspension. Although Kristoffer Ajer is now fit and started against the Jambos, Rodgers should hand Filip Benkovic a start alongside Boyata in the backline.
Midfield
The crisis in midfield is massive, but the gaffer must find a way out to handle the situation sincerely. Veteran Youssouf Mulumbu should be handed a run of games now with Brown, Kouassi and Ntcham ruled out. Versatile Callum McGregor is expected to feature in a central role to partner the Congolese in the middle of the park.
Scott Sinclair and Ryan Christie, the substitutes ensured a victory versus the Premiership leaders on Sunday afternoon and deserves a start this midweek in their respective left wing and attacking midfield roles. James Forrest is in blistering form and should retain his place down the right flank to terrorise the depleted Dee.
Attack
Amid confusions over Leigh Griffiths’ fitness and future, Odsonne Edouard is tipped to keep hold of his place as the Hoops’ ‘number 9’ and continue impressing the manager with his hard work and link-up football.
