Hibernian VS Celtic Match Prediction
2018-12-16
12:30:00
Hibernian
VS
Celtic
Our Prediction Tip
Celtic will win this match.
2018-12-1612:30:00 Celtic will win this match.
Celtic’s win at Parkhead earlier this season was their 170th in 295 previous matches against Hibs. Hibs have won 52 by contrast, though 34 of those have been at home. This season’s October meeting saw Tom Rogic open the scoring for Celtic and Olivier Ntcham made it 2-0 after 19 minutes. Florian Kamberi and Martin Boyle both scored after the break, but Odsonne Edouard’s double ensured the result was never in doubt. Here are the results of the last five matches:
Oct 20, 2018: Celtic 4-2 Hibernian
Apr 21, 2018: Hibernian 2-1 Celtic
Jan 27, 2018: Celtic 1-0 Hibernian
Dec 10, 2017: Hibernian 2-2 Celtic
Oct 21, 2017: Hibernian 2-4 Celtic
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Hibernian’s strong home record – including both league fixtures against Celtic makes it risky to back against Hibs avoiding defeat but Celtic are in great form.
The Hoops scraped through in the Europa League in mid-week but in league fixtures they have been top drawer – as proved by last weekend’s 5-1 thrashing of then league leaders Kilmarnock.
It proved they can cope with Leigh Griffiths’ absence, with Odsonne Edouard leading the way this season – including the two he scored against Hibs earlier this season.
Ryan Christie has also been in the goals of late and James Forrest was at the double last time too – there are goals across the pitch for Celtic.
Hibernian, on the other hand, have Oli Shaw to thank for ending their recent winless streak but the scars of that will remain.
While they continue to be strong at Easter Road, Hibs are outsiders for this game against Celtic – the visitors generally have an excellent record in this fixture, aside from last season’s two league games.
If Rangers are hoping for a favour from Hibs in the title race, they are likely to be left disappointed.
Celtic can be backed at 1/2 to beat Hibernian with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betfair, Betway and 10Bet – they are comfortable favourites for good reason.
Hibs have goals in them, however – they managed two last time they played Celtic – and both teams to score is 10/11 with Bet365, Ladbrokes, Betway, 10Bet and 888sport.
Over 2.5 goals will return 10/13 with 888sport, while over 3.5 goals is worth 41/20 with the same bookmaker.
Odsonne Edouard scored twice when the sides last met and is Celtic’s top scorer this season. He is 6/5 with Ladbrokes to score at any time.
Even with Hibs’ good home record in this fixture, it is hard to get away from Celtic’s recent form and charge back to the top of the SPL. They can continue that with an Easter Road win.
Ofir Marciano started for the first time this season, replacing Adam Bogdan for the win at Hamilton. David Gray should be close to a return from injury but Charalampos Mavrias has started the last two games at right-back. Match winner Oli Shaw is likely to continue up front after his fifth goal of the season.
Stevie Mallan – Nine goals and six assists so far this season, having signed from Barnsley in the summer.
Florian Kamberi – Just one goal and one assist behind Mallan having led the line after his arrival from Grasshopper.
Oli Shaw – Scored the winner to end Hibs’ seven-game winless streak last weekend – his fifth goal of the season.
Hibs ended a seven-match winless streak last weekend when Oli Shaw scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 triumph at Hamilton. It followed a 2-2 draw at home to St Mirren in which Shaw and Ryan Porteous scored Hibs’ goals. That was their second consecutive 2-2 home draw, having also finished all-square with Dundee, but in between they lost 3-0 at Kilmarnock.
Craig Gordon’s goalkeeping gaffe in mid-week is unlikely to stop the experienced keeper taking the gloves against Hibernian. Mikael Lustig was forced off after 21 minutes of that game and Cristian Gamboa could start in his place. Leigh Griffiths is taking an extended break for personal reasons so Odsonne Edouard will continue up front.
Ryan Christie – Scored in each of the last three league games to move to seven for the season.
Odsonne Edouard – The man tasked with replacing Leigh Griffiths in the striker’s absence and added his 13th league goal of the season against Kilmarnock.
James Forrest – The winger scored twice in the win against Kilmarnock and now has 11 for the season.
Celtic progressed in the Europa League in mid-week, despite a 2-1 loss at home to RB Salzburg ending their ten-game unbeaten streak in all competitions. It was a comedown from the 5-1 thrashing of Kilmarnock last time out in the league, which saw them leapfrog their visitors to move back to the top of the SPL. James Forrest scored twice, with Odsonne Edouard, Mikael Lustig and Ryan Christie netting in between. Christie also scored in the previous two games – a 1-0 defeat of Aberdeen and 1-1 draw at Motherwell.
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