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Kick off: Sunday, 27 December @14:00 GMT
Venue: Tynecastle Stadium (Edinburgh)
Head to head record
Hearts vs Celtic 1-2 (2015/2016 League Cup)
Celtic vs Hearts 0-0 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Hearts vs Celtic 0-4 (2014/2015 Scottish Cup)
Celtic vs Hearts 3-0 (2014/2015 League Cup)
Hearts vs Celtic 0-2 (2013/2014 Premier League)
Hearts vs Celtic prediction
Heart of Midlothian and Celtic take each other in the Scottish Premier League derby on Sunday afternoon. The Hoops aim to retain top position in the standings, but the hosts will surely give their best to claim a major scalp on day 19 of the 2015/2016 Premier League campaign.
Four-match winless run
After playing out back-to-back draws with the likes of Dundee and Motherwell, Hearts suffered a 1-0 loss to Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium on day 18 of the 2015/2016 Scottish Premier League campaign. The Maroons played out a goalless draw with St. Johnstone at the weekend and, no doubt, they are one of the most difficult teams to predict. Robbie Neilson’s team did remarkably well to share the spoils with Celtic in Glasgow earlier this season, but they often struggle when facing bottom-table sides. Anyhow, Hearts sit in third place in the standings and a win over the defending champions could see them overtake Aberdeen in second position. The Maroons have been struggling in front of goal and they will have to improve offensively if they are to book their place in European competitions. The team failed to score in previous two league games, but you should have in mind that they are eyeing their sixth home win of the season.
Striker Juanma Delgado misses the match through suspension, while Jamie Walker and Soufian El Hassnaoui have recovered from their respective injuries. Coach Robbie Neilson has no other selection worries ahead of the visit of Celtic.
Watch the Match via bet365 Live Stream
Upsetting loss to Motherwell
Celtic recorded back-to-back wins over Invernes and St. Johnstone on the road, but, against all odds, the title holders suffered a 2-1 loss to Motherwell at their Celtic Park at the weekend. The Hoops are eager to come back from losing to Mark McGhee’s troops, but Sunday’s festive fixture against Hearts will be anything but a walk in the park for the capital club. Despite suffering the loss to Motherwell, Ronny Deila’s men remained in top position in the Scottish Premier League standings, but you should bear in mind that they are just one point clear of second-placed Aberdeen. Summer signing Nadir Ciftci scored a brace in the 3-0 win at St. Johnstone and he will be one of the men to watch in the away side. Celtic have already suffered elimination in the Europa League, meaning that will be fully focused on defending the domestic trophy in the rest of the season. The Hoops are eyeing their eighth win of the season.
Leigh Griffiths has overcome his injury and he is pushing for a start. Charlie Mulgrew and Scott Brown are long-term absentees, but coach Ronny Deila has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the trip to Edinburgh.
Quick Facts
- Hearts are on a 12-game winless run in matches against Celtic
- Maroons are unbeaten in four home fixtures in the league
- Hearts have kept two clean sheets in previous three home games
- Celtic are after their sixth consecutive win on the road
- The Hoops defeated Hearts in each of their last seven meetings at Tynecastle
- Celtic have netted 10 goals in previous three away games in the league
Hearts vs Celtic betting tip
Celtic are desperate to return to winning ways in the Premier League and seeing that Hearts have been struggling to find their form of late, there is every chance the league leaders will pick up all three points from the Tynecastle Stadium clash. The Hoops have been impressive on travels this season and seeing that Hearts suit the title holders, away win should be considered.
Tip: Away win
Odds: 1.57 (4/7) @bet365
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| Barca v Arsenal | Barcelona to win is 8/1 | Claim | @19:45 |
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| Cheltenham | Yanworth,More of That,Un De Sceaux 25/1 | Claim | @13:30 |
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| RSA Chase | No More Heroes to win is 12/1 | Claim | @14:10 |
| Champion Chase | Un De Sceaux to win is 12/1 | Claim | @15:30 |
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