Celtic v Kilmarnock betting tips
Celtic -1
Celtic to Have 8 or More Corners
Over 3.5 Goals
Kilmarnock to Receive the Most Cards
Liam Donnelly to Receive a Card
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Sunday 16:30: Celtic v Kilmarnock
Scottish Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow
TV: Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event
Celtic -1
Celtic will expect a challenging game against Kilmarnock as they open their Scottish Premiership defence on Sunday at Parkhead, yet it is a fixture they will expect to win with some degree of comfort.
With a stable squad, the Hoops have enjoyed a promising pre-season campaign that has been packed with goals. In particular, the results of the recent US tour have been eye-catching, with a 4-3 win over Manchester City and a 4-1 success over Chelsea. They should feel that if they are capable of scoring so prolifically against this calibre of opponents, even if they were weakened, they have the capacity to pick Kilmarnock apart.
After all, a 1-1 home draw against Killie in February ended a five-game run in which they had beaten the Ayrshire side by multiple goals at Celtic Park.
Celtic to Have 8 or More Corners
Celtic were a corner-winning machine for much of last season, particularly in their home matches, and with their squad not having changed significantly over the summer weeks, much of the same should be expected from the champions.
Last season, in their four league matches against Killie, they won at least eight corner kicks on each occasion. Across their two home games with Derek McInnes’ side, they won a total of 19 flag kicks.
There is no reason to suggest they won’t do the same in this encounter, in which the visitors are expected to sit back and try to soak up pressure.
Over 3.5 Goals
Celtic’s forward players have been locked in so far this summer. In each of their four pre-season matches, they have been able to score at least four goals, which even in that type of environment is a remarkable achievement.
Impressively, the goals have been shared around. Kyogo Furuhashi, Luis Palma and Nicolas Kuhn each scored twice in the US tour, while Matt O’Riley netted three times.
But if Celtic were looking powerful in front of goal, in defence they have not been quite so smart. Across their four pre-season matches, they have conceded eight goals and kept only one clean sheet, suggesting Killie could well find the net in what will likely be a high-scoring affair.
Kilmarnock to Receive the Most Cards
Only Ross County received more cards than Kilmarnock last season in the Premiership, with McInnes’ men picking up 86 yellow and four reds. Such high figures are symptomatic of their desire to make matches competitive and physical.
On the other hand, Celtic picked up around half that number of cards (47 yellow and two reds). Only Rangers saw fewer cards than the Hoops.
In the last four league meetings between these sides, meanwhile, Kilmarnock have picked up more bookings on three occasions and drew in this regard in the other.
Liam Donnelly to Receive a Card
Northern Irish midfielder Liam Donnelly was Kilmarnock’s most prolific player in terms of picking up cards last season, and he particularly specialised in doing so against Celtic.
The 28-year-old was typically used in a holding midfield role last term and he will likely be deployed in a similar position in this encounter. Here, he was given two yellow cards in three matches against Celtic last season and ran the risk of another in the game that was an exception – he committed three fouls in that match.
Having picked up 0.43 cards per 90 last season, he is strong value to trouble referee Don Robertson in this game.
Celtic v Kilmarnock betting tips
Celtic -1
Celtic to Have 8 or More Corners
Over 3.5 Goals
Kilmarnock to Receive the Most Cards
Liam Donnelly to Receive a Card
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 10/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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