Celtic vs Kilmarnock Prediction: Rodgers will get a response against lowly Killie

The Scottish Premiership returns for round 33, and there’s plenty to play for at both ends of the table. Celtic are the runaway league leaders, but the Hoops appear to have downed tools, switching their focus to the upcoming summer break. The hosts have half of their last six games, giving Saturday’s opponents encouragement.

Kilmarnock travel from Rugby Park to Glasgow stuck down in ninth following a poor run of results. Killie have won only one of their previous six, losing four and drawing the spare. They’re dangerously close to the relegation zone and know three points on Saturday would help their cause. Keep reading as Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse give his Celtic vs Kilmarnock Predictions. 

You won’t find many clubs in world football at the top of the league and edging closer to another domestic treble with a confidence crisis, but that’s how we find Celtic. The Bhoys appear to have downed tools, with Rangers 13 behind and going nowhere fast under temporary manager Barry Ferguson. But the home fans aren’t concerned with their rivals' plight; they demand improvement from their team after losing half of their last six starts. Manager Brendan Rodgers demands better, but will he get it?

Celtic’s problems and slight dip in form is nothing compared to the drama that’s happening at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock face a tense finish to the season and head to Glasgow dangerously close to the relegation zone. Derek McInnes and co start ninth in the table but are just one point better than second-bottom Dundee. Could we see Kilmarnock playing in the second tier next term? It’s certainly possible at this stage.

Celtic vs Kilmarnock Odds

A team that’s top of the league and coasting to a successful defence of the Premiership title against an opponent playing under the threat of relegation. Most weeks, that would be an easy pick for a home win. But it’s worth remembering Celtic lost to bottom club St Johnstone last weekend in Perth. The struggling side were hungrier and wanted it more. There would’ve been a few home truths delivered in training this week, and you can back Celtic to get back to winning ways at odds of 1/5. That’s one for your weekend accumulators.

Kilmarnock arrive at Parkhead with just one win in their previous six attempts. That spell includes four defeats and a draw, which does little to inspire confidence in an away win. Kilmarnock beat Motherwell 2-0 at home last weekend, and you can take a chance on them scoring back-to-back victories at 12/1. That’s a huge price, but the draw will attract more attention at 13/2. The teams finished 1-1 here last February following goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and David Watson.

Celtic -1 handicap @ 1/2

I expect a big response from a Celtic team embarrassed by the basement boys last time. The hosts have lost only four times all season, with three of those defeats coming in their half-dozen outings. Do the team have one eye on their summer break? It certainly looks that way, but Rodgers and his coaching team won’t accept players downing tools and short-changing the fans.

Backing Celtic -1 goal on the handicap would’ve returned a profit in two of their three games against Killie this season and in three of their last four. The Hoops won 5-0 at Rugby Park late last season before collecting a 4-0 home win and 2-0 on the road. Celtic also beat Hearts 3-0, Hibs 2-0 and St Mirren 5-2. Killie beat the Steelmen last time but slipped to a 5-1 defeat in Paisley and a 4-2 when hosting Rangers. Backing Celtic -1 handicap boosts the odds and your potential winnings.

Daizen Maeda to score first @ 4/1

Daizen Maeda has been Celtic's standout player so far this term and looks the natural replacement for Kyogo, who signed for French Ligue 1 side Rennes earlier this year. Maeda is a fans’ favourite, has an eye for goal, and seems eager to prove he can cut it at a higher level. A strong finish to the season could attract the attention of some big names from the English Premier League and across Europe.

The stats show Maeda scored a brace when last playing at home, playing his part in a solid 3-0 win over Hearts. He has notched up eight goals in his previous eight games. To add more weight to our bet, Maeda netted when Kilmarnock were last in town, grabbing the winner with 70 minutes on the clock to sick a battling opponent. The stats, trends and odds make a bet on Maeda to score worthwhile.

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...