Prediction: Celtic vs St Johnstone

Prediction: Celtic win

Best Odds: 1/6

Bookmaker: bet365

The Scottish Premiership is set to get underway this weekend, in what we think is going to be a pretty important season for the nation. For the last few years they’ve been looked upon as a bit of an embarrassment in the realms of the British Isles, and even on the international stage. Now, however, it’s time for them to push back and make a real statement to the rest of Europe. The first step in doing that will be to put on a show this weekend, with one of the most intriguing games being Celtic vs St Johnstone.

Celtic

Celtic are the dominant force in Scottish football, and nobody is ever really going to second guess that. While one of their big aims is going to be making themselves a notable force on the European stage as opposed to just domestically, it still feels like their hearts are set on retaining their title once again. It seems like they’re all set to do that given the strength and quality of their squad, but you just never know with a series of challengers rising up to push back against them.

Team News

Gordon & Brown will look to be the anchors for what is set to be a full strength Celtic team.

St Johnstone

For the last few years it has felt like St Johnstone are playing the role of being the ultimate underdogs, and even the club themselves seem to embrace that ideology. Now, we’re interested in seeing whether or not they can take that next step forward and become an elite side within the Scottish game altogether. It seems unlikely, but stranger things have certainly happened in Scotland’s top tier in recent years.

Team News

St Johnstone appear to have a fully fit squad to choose from, as they attempt to bounce back from their disappointing outings in the League Cup.

Factors to Consider

• This game will mark the start of the 2019/20 Scottish Premiership season for both teams.
• Celtic won the Scottish Premiership last season.
• St Johnstone won the relegation tier of the Scottish Premiership second phase last season.
• Celtic have already played and won four games in Champions League qualifying this season.
• St Johnstone have won one and lost three games so far this season in the Scottish League Cup.

Conclusion

All signs point towards Celtic continuing their strong start to the season, and that’s what we’re leaning towards. St Johnstone are plucky and with it being the start of the new league campaign, we can actually picture them holding Celtic for a while before they start to stretch their legs and really go after them. It’s not going to be a rout in terms of the scoreline by any stretch, but when it comes to kicking off the season in the right way, Celtic have been there and done it so many times that it just seems like a given at this stage.

Prediction: Celtic win

Best Odds: 1/6

Bookmaker: bet365