MX23RW : Friday, February 12 20:38:41| >> :120:4954:4954:
Feb 10, 2021 at 8pm UK at St Mirren Park
St MirrenSt Mirren
0-4
CelticCeltic

Obika (64'), Flynn (78'), McCarthy (88')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rogic (16'), Edouard (79' pen.), Christie (82'), Turnbull (83')
Duffy (84')

Preview: St Mirren vs. Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

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

St Mirren face Celtic for the second time in 11 days, hoping to claim their fourth victory in five matches and consolidate their place in the top six of the Scottish Premiership.

Meanwhile, the Hoops are looking to secure their third successive league victory and their eighth away from home this campaign.


Match preview

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

Celtic held on for their first home win in 2021 as they secured a slender 2-1 victory against Motherwell last weekend.

Goals from Stephen Welsh and Odsonne Edouard were enough to claim all three points and consolidate second place, and even though rivals Rangers slipped up at Hamilton, Celtic remain a huge 21 points behind the table toppers with their crown as Scotland's finest soon to be taken away from them.

With just 12 league matches left to play this season, Neil Lennon will be hoping that his side can finish strongly in what has been a disappointing campaign, to not only keep him in his job but to also show everyone how competitive they could be next year.

The Hoops will be wary of the threat that faces them on Wednesday, as St Mirren beat them 2-1 on home soil just over a week ago.

Celtic had previously won 14 of their last 16 meetings with the Saints, drawing the other two, and will believe they can secure three points once again which could move them nine points clear of third-placed Hibernian.

St Mirren boss Jim Goodwin pictured on August 9, 2020© Reuters

St Mirren got back to winning ways and claimed their third league victory in four matches as they secured a 2-0 triumph at home to Kilmarnock last weekend.

Kyle McAllister's first goal of the season was followed up by a second-half strike from Jonathan Obika to give Jim Goodwin's men their ninth Scottish Premiership win of the campaign.

The Saints have now matched their 2018-19 season tally of 32 points with 13 games still left to play, as well as surpassing last season's total of 30 points, although the coronavirus pandemic cut short that campaign by eight matches.

St Mirren will take plenty of confidence into their clash with Celtic having beaten them at the end of January and know that another three points secured on Wednesday could move them closer to the top four than the relegation zone.

St Mirren Scottish Premiership form: DLWWLW
St Mirren form (all competitions): LLWWLW

Celtic Scottish Premiership form: DDWLWW


Team News

Celtic players celebrate Shane Duffy's goal against Ross County on September 12, 2020© Reuters

St Mirren strikers Collin Quaner (knee) and Kristian Dennis (Achilles tendon) both remain out with injuries, however goalkeeper Jak Alnwick is back from suspension and is expected to replace Dean Lyness in the starting lineup.

Manager Jim Goodwin may decide to name the same side that beat Kilmarnock last weekend, which would see him stick with a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Celtic pair Christopher Jullien (knee) and James Forrest (ankle) both remain out injured, although the latter could be back in training before the end of the month.

Centre-back Shane Duffy, who scored the last time the Hoops beat St Mirren in September, is hoping to break back into the starting lineup, although Neil Lennon is likely to stick with defensive duo Stephen Welsh and Kristoffer Ajer.

Striker Leigh Griffiths could be handed a start ahead of Albian Ajeti and partner top goalscorer Odsonne Edouard up front.

St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Lyness; Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy; Tait, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Durmus; McGrath, McAllister; Obika

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Bain; Kenny, Welsh, Ajer, Taylor; Brown; McGregor, Turnbull; Christie; Griffiths, Edouard


SM words green background

We say: St Mirren 2-2 Celtic

St Mirren are unlikely to have much possession on Wednesday night, but if they can be as clinical in front of goal as they were at Celtic Park then they have every chance of causing another upset.

Despite winning three of their last four games, Celtic's opponents in those victories have been three of the league's bottom four sides. The Hoops struggled just over a week ago against the Saints and may find it difficult once again to claim three points in Paisley.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals 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.Under 3.5:data


ID:434371:cQx

How you voted: St Mirren vs Celtic

St Mirren
16.7%
Draw
25.9%
Celtic
57.4%
54
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2824406886076
2Celtic27177361214058
3Hibernian28147739261349
4Aberdeen2712873128344
5Livingston27116103531439
6St Mirren2695122632-632
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd28710112338-1531
8St Johnstone2879122737-1030
9Motherwell2777132539-1428
10Kilmarnock2873182640-1424
11Ross County2865172153-3223
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2655162352-2920

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