Since suffering a 2-0 Champions League defeat against RB Leipzig, Celtic have fired in 10 goals over the past two outings. The champions of Scotland are showing sheer supremacy in the Premiership and the confidence must be sky-high ahead of locking horns with Hearts on Saturday afternoon.
These two sides clashed heads two months back when the Hoops clinched a 2-0 victory at Celtic Park. The Jamtarts, on the other hand, are not enjoying the best of run and the Bhoys, therefore, remain firm favourites to clinch a comfortable victory at Tynecastle Park. They still have a two-point cushion over bitter rivals Rangers and the lead might extend further given the latter’s ongoing conundrum due to form and fitness concerns.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Hearts
Defence
Benjamin Siegrist featured between the sticks in their 4-0 League Cup win against Motherwell. But he has been the understudy to Joe Hart as the veteran custodian is expected to return to action for this weekend’s encounter.
Josip Juranvoic and Greg Taylor were handed the nod at Fir Park in place of Anthony Ralston and Alexandro Bernabei. Both Ralston and Bernabei were the standout performers in their thumping 6-1 victory versus Hibernian, but the experienced fullback pair might secure consecutive starts in order to maintain more balance between defence and attack.
Cameron Carter-Vickers is irreplaceable in the heart of the backline, however, the gaffer Ange Postecoglou might bring back Stephen Welsh in the starting XI ahead of Moritz Jenz. Carl Starfelt is still sidelined with his persistent injury problems.
Midfield
The Aussie boss has tweaked his midfield set-up in the wake of skipper Callum McGregor’s absence. Matt O’Riley is operating centrally as a ‘number six’ allowing Aaron Mooy and Reo Hatate to make box-to-box movements and offer their creative spark high up the pitch. Oliver Abildgaard has been involved as a second-half substitute, as has James McCarthy who featured sporadically in recent games.
Attack
Celtic are well equipped in the attacking third and Postecoglou, therefore, might undergo a selection dilemma before the Tynecastle clash. In-form Liel Abada could make way for James Forrest who joined the ‘hundred club’ by netting a hat-trick against Hibs. Also Daizen Maeda might regain his place down the left due to his high work ethic.
Giorgos Giakoumakis should spearhead the attack with Sead Haksabanovic and Kyogo Furuhashi likely to be dropped among the substitutes ahead of their Champions League tie versus Shakhtar Donetsk.
