Prediction: Dundee United vs Celtic

Prediction: Celtic to win 2-1

Best Odds: 15/20

Bookmaker: Betfair

Celtic will be looking to resume their Scottish Premiership campaign with a bang when they take on Dundee United away from home at Tannadice Park on Saturday evening. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:3opm UK time, and the Hoops will head into the encounter full of confidence and determined to close the gap on bitter Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the league table. As for United, they will be aiming to continue their good start to life in the Scottish top flight with at least a point against the defending champions.

Dundee United

United won the Scottish Championship title last season and have quite well in the Scottish Premiership so far this campaign. Micky Mellon’s side have picked up seven points from four matches and are only three points behind leaders Rangers. The Terrors have scored four goals and have conceded three, and it seems that they are getting the job done.

Team news

Lawrence Shankland has yet to make a huge impact in the top flight of Scottish football, as he has played just once in the Scottish Premiership this season. However, if the Scotland international striker is fit enough to start, then the 25-year-old will be a handful for the Celtic defenders, who have been far from great in the league this season.

Celtic

The match against United will be Celtic’s first in the Scottish Premiership since August 9. On that day, Neil Lennon’s side endured a disappointing 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock away from home at Rugby Park. That game also saw Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo break quarantine rules in Scotland at the time. As a result, the Glasgow giants’ following two league matches against St. Mirren and Aberdeen were postponed. That handed the advantage to Rangers, Celtic’s bitter Old Firm rivals and also their main – and perhaps only – challengers for the league title. Steven Gerrard’s side at the top of the league table at the moment with 10 points from seven matches.

Celtic, though, will head into Saturday evening’s match high on confidence, with the Glasgow giants having hammered KR Reykjavik 6-0 at Celtic Park in the Champions League Qualifying First-Round tie on Tuesday evening. It was a superb display from Lennon’s side, who took another step towards qualifying to the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition.

Team news

Leigh Griffiths is on the sidelines at the moment with a calf injury and will not be back in action for at least two more weeks.

Key Factors to Consider

• Celtic have yet to lose a competitive game this season.
  The Hoops are chasing their 10th successive title.
  United have won two, drawn one and lost one of their league games.
  Shankland scored 24 goals in the Scottish Championship last season.
  United manager Micky Mellon is a childhood Celtic fan.

Conclusion

Celtic are big favourites for Saturday’s match, and it is hard to see the Bhoys slip up, even though they are the visiting team. However, defensively, the Glasgow giants have not been great in the league, and that means that United will get chances and should score at least a goal. But Celtic will scored at least one more and pick up all three points from the encounter.

Prediction: Celtic to win 2-1

Best Odds: 15/20

Bookmaker: Betfair