Celtic vs Motherwell
Time – UK: 3.00, India: 7.30 pm (Sunday)
Venue: Celtic Park
Scottish champions Celtic are going through a turbulent period right now with manager Neil Lennon finding it difficult to keep his players motivated.
The dressing room environment has come under scrutiny with the manager openly questioning the attitude of some of his players following their Champions League exit after a 2-1 defeat against Ferencvarosi TC.
The time to rue over the lost opportunity is gone, with the focus now returning to the Scottish Premiership, where the champions are on a quest to secure their tenth title in a row.
The Hoops won 1-0 against newly-promoted Dundee United last weekend and will be up against a motivated Motherwell side, who claimed a 5-1 win over Irish club Glentoran in a Europa League preliminary qualifying round match on Thursday night.
Celtic vs Motherwell: Recent form
Celtic: L-W-W-D-W
Motherwell: W-L-D-D-L
Both the sides were at home in their last game, though their matches were not part of the domestic competition.
While Celtic were playing Icelandic side Ferencvarosi TC in the Champions League second qualifying round, Motherwell were against Irish outfit Glentoran in a Europa League qualifier.
Celtic were at the receiving end of a disappointing 2-1 loss on Wednesday night, meaning they won’t feature in the Champions League this season too. On the other hand, Motherwell comprehensively won their game with a 5-1 scoreline.
Celtic vs Motherwell: Head-to-head record
Total matches: 55
Celtic wins: 42
Motherwell wins: 5
Draws: 8
The two sides last met at Fir Park back in early February when the Scottish champions handed the hosts a lesson by beating them 4-0.
Odsonne Edouard scored a brace on that occasion, with Leigh Griffiths and Callum McGregor adding the third and the fourth respectively.
Celtic vs Motherwell: Team News
Celtic
Striker Leigh Griffiths will be unavailable due to a calf strain, while full-back Boli Bolingoli remains suspended after breaking lockdown rules. Striker Odsonne Edouard is also set to miss out as he recuperates from a thigh injury.
Neil Lennon was critical of some of his players, following the Champions League qualifying defeat, and can make a few changes to the team at the weekend.
Motherwell
Steve Robinson’s side have been forced to cope with multiple injuries as several of their first-team stars facing lengthy spells on the sideline.
Goalkeeper Scott Fox won’t be available until next year, while full-backs Charles Dunne and Jake Carroll, and midfielder Liam Donnelly also remain unavailable.
Celtic vs Motherwell: Predicted line-up
Celtic: predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Vasilis Barkas; Jeremie Frimpong, Christopher Jullien, Kristoffer Ajer, Greg Taylor; Scott Brown, Callum McGregor; James Forrest, Ryan Christie, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Albian Ajeti
Motherwell: predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): Trevor Carson; Stephen O’Donnell, Bevis Mugabi, Ricki Lamie, Liam Grimshaw; Allan Campbell, Mark O’Hara; Sherwin Seedorf, Callum Lang, Barry Maguire; Chris Long
Celtic vs Motherwell: Where to watch
The match won’t be shown live on Sky Sports. Fans around the world can, therefore, watch the match on the Sky Go app.
Celtic’s season ticket holders will be able to watch the game live on Pass to Paradise with the help of their unique code.
Celtic vs Motherwell: Prediction
Both sides will be eager to bag the full three points for reasons of their own. For the hosts, it’s a chance to brush off the disappointment of the Champions League exit and get back to winning ways.
For Motherwell, on the other hand, it will be a chance to capitalise on the winning momentum and get their domestic season back on track. They have lost three and drawn two of their five Scottish Premiership matches this season, and a win at Celtic Park will do a world of good for Steve Robinson’s side.
Celtic vs Motherwell predicted scoreline: 1-0
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