The Scottish Premiership season has resumed already with Rangers’ clash against Hibernian. The league leaders Celtic will recommence their title defence this weekend as they are set to travel to Pittodrie to lock horns with Aberdeen. They hold a comfortable lead over the Light Blues at the top of the standings and the gaffer Ange Postecoglou must aim for maintaining the gap to clinch successive titles under his tutelage.
The Bhoys registered a routine 2-0 win in the reverse tie when these two sides clashed heads at Celtic Park. However, the Dons are currently third in the league table and their astounding home form should encourage Jim Goodwin to aim for a result on Saturday afternoon.
Predicted 4-3-3 Celtic Lineup To Face Aberdeen
Defence
Joe Hart looked nervy between the sticks in their 4-3 friendly defeat against Rennes. But the veteran custodian must keep his place in goal as he has done so far this season ahead of Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist.
Josip Juranovic won’t be available this early following an exquisite World Cup run with Croatia. Anthony Ralston should step in and grab the right-back spot, whereas Greg Taylor is likely to feature from the left with Alexandro Bernabei yet to find the rhythm since his summer move. Cameron Carter-Vickers might return before the contest, but the USMNT international must not be rushed after his resolute defensive display in his nation’s colours. Moritz Jenz and Carl Starfelt should be lined up in the heart of the backline.
Midfield
Skipper Callum McGregor is back in action after two months of injury absence. He would pull the strings as a deep-lying playmaker and his technicality and vision would allow Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate to operate as ‘number 8’ in the middle of the park. They must carry the ball forward and operate in the advanced areas by finding their teammates high up the pitch.
Attack
It was a heartbreak for Kyogo Furuhashi who failed to make it to Japan’s World Cup squad. But the Japanese ‘number 9’ has shaken off the disappointment as he found the net against Rennes in last weekend’s behind-closed-doors fixture. He must spearhead the attack on Saturday lunchtime and the wide attacking roles could be occupied by Filipe Jota and Liel Abada with Daizen Maeda unlikely to be involved following his international duties with Japan. Sead Hakšabanović and James Forrest might be deployed as ‘super subs’ late in the game.
