MX23RW : Wednesday, February 3 04:24:04| >> :120:20350:20350:

Preview: Celtic vs. Hamilton Academical - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hamilton Academical, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Celtic head into their Scottish Premiership encounter with Hamilton Academical on Wednesday night hoping to end their run of four matches without a league victory.

Meanwhile, the Accies continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table and head to Celtic Park having lost each of their last nine visits away against the Hoops.


Match preview

Celtic manager Neil Lennon pictured on January 2, 2021© Reuters

Neil Lennon insists that he will not quit his Celtic job after another draw against Livingston last Wednesday piled more pressure on the Scotsman.

The Hoops have failed to win any of their previous four matches, drawing their last three in succession and are now an enormous 23 points behind league leaders Rangers, although they do have three games in hand.

The last time they failed to register a win in five top-flight matches was back in September 1998, a record they will be keen to avoid.

Celtic do however have an impressive record against Hamilton, having won 26 of the 29 matches played against them in the Scottish Premiership.

The Hoops have already played the Accies twice this campaign, winning 5-1 on the opening day as well as a 3-0 triumph away from home on Boxing Day.

Another victory against Hamilton on Wednesday night would keep Celtic in second place but would only move them closer to Rangers if Steven Gerrard's side were to drop points against Hibernian.

Hamilton Academical manager Brian Rice pictured in August 2020© Reuters

Hamilton were unable to move off the bottom of the table last weekend as they played out a goalless draw at home to Dundee United.

Manager Brian Rice was pleased to see improvements from his side defensively, however he wants more from his attacking players who are struggling to find the back of the net.

The Accies have scored in only one of their last six matches and Rice is now hoping to reinforce his frontline before the midnight transfer deadline on February 1.

Hamilton have struggled on the road against Celtic, conceding 29 goals against them in their last nine away games, shipping an average of 3.2 goals per game.

The Accies head into their game at Celtic Park having won only one of their last six league matches – drawing two and losing the other three – but a surprise victory on Wednesday could move them off the bottom of the table.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form: WWLDDD

Hamilton Academical Scottish Premiership form: LLDWLD


Team News

Celtic's Ryan Christie in Scottish Premiership action with Hamilton Academical's Shaun Want on August 3, 2020© Reuters

Celtic's James Forrest (ankle) and Christopher Jullien (knee) both remain unavailable with injuries, while captain Scott Brown is suspended as he was shown a red card against Livingston.

Mohamed Elyounoussi, who scored against the Lions last week, is set to remain in attack with one of Leigh Griffiths, Odsonne Edouard or Albian Ajeti likely to start alongside him.

Hamilton's David Templeton (groin), Lewis Smith (hamstring) and Will Collar (knee) are all ruled out with injuries.

Striker Marios Ogkmpoe, who has recently recovered from a knee injury and came off the bench against Dundee United, could start the match on Wednesday night up front alongside David Moyo.

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Barkas; Frimpong, Ajer, Bitton, Laxalt; Soro; McGregor, Turnbull, Christie; Elyounoussi, Ajeti

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:
Fulton; Hamilton, A. Martin, Easton; Hodson, Odoffin, Stirling, Callachan, McMann; Moyo, Ogkmpoe


SM words green background

We say: Celtic 4-1 Hamilton Academical

Celtic cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to close the gap to rivals Rangers. The Hoops will be determined to end their poor run of form and should win comfortably against the Accies on Wednesday night.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Draw:data


ID:432118:cQx

How you voted: Celtic vs Hamilton

Celtic
77.6%
Draw
14.3%
Hamilton Academical
8.2%
49
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Eamonn Brophy in axtion for Kilmarnock in August 2020
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2623306675972
2Celtic25157355203552
3Hibernian27137737261146
4Aberdeen2612863126544
5Livingston2611693429539
6St Mirren2485112428-429
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd26610102036-1628
8St Johnstone2669112535-1027
9Kilmarnock2673162637-1124
10Motherwell2457122136-1522
11Ross County2655161950-3120
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2454152149-2819

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