Prediction: Hibernian vs Celtic

Verdict: Celtic win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make it back-to-back Premiership victories on Sunday lunchtime, Celtic will travel to Easter Road when they meet Hibernian.

Hibernian

Starting with the hosts, enduring what was a major Premiership struggle last season as they spent large spells of the 2023/24 campaign scrapping it out at the foot of the table, Hibernian are desperate to put in a better account of themselves this time around. However, getting the new season underway with a nightmare performance away at St. Mirren last weekend as they slumped to a 3-0 drumming, David Gray’s men will be bracing themselves for another stern examination here. Mustering just a single win from any of their final eight Premiership appearances last season, Hibs will certainly be worried by a woeful record against Sunday’s guests. Including a 2-1 loss when they welcomed Celtic to Easter Road back on February 7th, they have recorded just a sole victory from any of their last 22 meetings across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to December 2018.

Team News

Picking up a pre-season muscle injury over the summer, Hibernian will once again be without former Nantes striker Thody Elie Youan on Sunday lunchtime. Completing a season-long loan switch from Belgium giants Club Brugge this summer, 23-year-old Josef Bursik will start between the sticks at Easter Road.

Arranging from Blackpool this summer after his contract at Bloomfield Road expired, Marvin Ekpiteta will keep his spot at the heart of Gray’s defence. Former Tottenham starlet Luke Amos could make a first start of the season this weekend.

Celtic

As for the visitors, storming their way to a 54th domestic crown last season as they embarked on another Premiership romp, Celtic have their sights firmly set on making more history this time around. Getting proceedings underway with an early statement of intent last weekend as they claimed a 4-0 victory at home against Kilmarnock, Brendan Rodgers’ camp will be smelling another real opportunity here. Enjoying what was a sensational summer flurry as they signed off their pre-season preparations with a 4-1 romp against Premier League giants Chelsea, the mood in Celtic’s camp should be at a red-hot high. Crowned Scottish Cup champions on May 25th as they landed a 1-0 win against arch-rivals Rangers at Hampden, the former Leicester boss has not seen his squad suffer a single competitive defeat since the start of March.

Team News

Arriving from Anderlecht this summer, former Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel will start between the sticks on Sunday lunchtime. However, still dealing with a long-term injury issue and failing to make a single appearance throughout 2024, one-time Everton star James McCarthy will not feature this weekend.

While midfield talisman Matt O’Riley might remain heavily linked with a big-money Premier League switch, the 23-year-old remains in Glasgow and will play a leading role here. Notching 14 Premiership strikes last season, Japan international Fyogo Furuhashi will lead Celtic’s charge in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Hibernian and Celtic last met at Easter Road back on February 7th, the Hoops collected a 2-1 victory.
• Likewise, the reigning Scottish champions have lost just one of their previous 22 meetings against His across all competitions.
• Continuing on from last season, Celtic have not suffered a single competitive defeat since the start of March.
• Opening the 2024/25 campaign with a 3-0 drumming away at St. Mirren last weekend, Hibs have now collected just a single win from any of their previous nine meetings against Premiership opposition.
• Six of the last seven meetings between Hibernian and Celtic have finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Opening the new Premiership campaign with a thumping 4-0 romp against Kilmarnock, Celtic should be relishing a trip to Easter Road this weekend. Claiming a 2-1 win when they last met Hibernian back on February 7th, the reigning Scottish champions will be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Losing just one of their previous 22 meetings against Hibs across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to December 2018 – we are backing an away victory on Sunday lunchtime.

Verdict: Celtic win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Luckster