Celtic vs Hearts Prediction: A 2-0 Home Win at 13/2 feels like Betting Value

The Scottish Premiership returns this weekend following the distraction of international football. Fans spent the last week occupying themselves with the UEFA Nations League and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. But we’re back in business, and there are some eye-catching fixtures in the round 31 programme.

Celtic are the Scottish Premiership champions and runaway leaders. Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops made light work of the title race and now prepare for the visit of Hearts. Betfred’s Scottish football writer Frank Monkhouse previews the Hoops vs the Jambos and gives us his key Celtic vs Hearts Predictions...

It was a long and painful international break for Celtic fans following the defeat to Rangers at this venue in the Old Firm Derby. The Gers raced into a 2-0 lead that day before Celtic battled bravely to level things at 2-2.

With the clock ticking down, it looked like the locals would complete the fightback and win the game, but Hamza Igamane rocketed home a volley to take the points back to Govan. The Celtic support was shocked, and they’ll attend the game on Saturday, demanding a response from their Bhoys.

Hearts were facing the possibility of relegation to the Championship earlier this season. The Jambos dropping back to the second tier would be a massive loss for the Premiership, but the team from Tynecastle responded, climbing to safety and the possibility.

The Jambos are also fighting for a European finish and a return to the UEFA Europa Conference League. The visitors start the game in sixth place but are just five points behind city rivals Hibs in third place. A famous win in Glasgow would keep Hearts in the mix.

Celtic vs Hearts Odds

Celtic are the champions and league leaders. They are the home team, and the players will enjoy the backing of thousands inside the stadium. It will come as no surprise to followers of Scottish football to see Betfred traders pick the home win in this Glasgow vs Edinburgh showdown.

Do you agree with the book? You can back Celtic on the Betfred website and app at odds of 1/4, and there’s no real surprise in that quote. A price suited to your weekend accumulators.

Hearts arrive on a strong run of form, with the visitors winning three of their last four league starts and four of their previous six. Few teams look forward to a trip to Celtic Park, but the game appears to come at the best time for Neil Critchley’s men. Will they make it count?

The visitors' have collected more points than Celtic in the previous four games. Will they win on Saturday? You can back Hearts at 11/1 or try the draw and get 11/2 at Betfred.

Celtic -1 handicap

Our first bet at Parkhead on Saturday in a rare 15:00 start is Celtic -1 goal on the handicap. I expect a decisive win for the locals, and backing them with a goal deficit gives us a chance of landing a winner at decent odds. The handicap has a better price than the match-winner market, and a fired-up Celtic are good enough to cover the margin.

Picking Celtic -1 handicap would’ve landed you a profit when these sides last met, and it was also the best approach in the previous three. In that time, the Hoops have won 3-0 and 2-0 here before collecting an impressive 4-1 win at Tynecastle late last year. You can back Celtic -1 as a single and hope Rodgers’ side delivers or add to small weekend multiples.

Celtic 2-0 Hearts

Moving to my second bet at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon, and followers of my correct score predictions will be glad to see another pick at great odds. We’re taking a chance on Celtic 2-0 Hearts in the correct score market and the stats say we’re onto a good thing. Will the green and white Hoops provide a profit? It would’ve been a winning bet when Celtic last hosted the Jambos.

Incredibly, 2-0 was the final score in three of the previous five games involving these rivals. Included in that run is a 3-0 home win for Celtic last May, but they scored an 87th-minute penalty from Matt O’Riley. Celtic 2-0 Hearts looks like a great bet, and followers have enough profits in their pockets to shoot for another stunner.

Frank Monkhouse covers Scottish Football for us here at Betfred Insights. You can check out all of his work along with that of the rest of our Football Betting Tips desk on our main Football page...