Kilmarnock vs Celtic Prediction: Improving Killie can worry the Champions

Just one fixture for followers of Scottish football on Sunday, and it promises to be a cracker as an improving Kilmarnock host league leaders Celtic, from midday. Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse previews the action from Rugby Park…

Scottish Premiership champions and current leaders Celtic make the arduous trip to Ayrshire for an early Sunday afternoon meeting with Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. The home team knows it’s never a good time to face Brendan Rodgers’ free-scoring side, but the locals arrive fresh from a midweek win that lifted them into the top six. They now aim to show their improvement with a big performance against the Hoops.

Celtic also enter on the back of a favourable result on Wednesday when hammering Hibs in Glasgow. Confidence is high in the away dressing room, and they’ll aim to score a third win on the bounce following a surprise home draw with Motherwell last month. The visitors have notched seven goals in their previous two games, and that attack now sets its sights on downing Killie in Sunday’s game broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Team News

Kilmarnock manager and former Rangers player Derek McInnis returned to management with Kilmarnock and instantly improved the fortunes of the team from Ayrshire. Killie clambered up the league table, moving from the danger zone into the top six under his guidance, and fans hope their good form continues. Are they genuine contenders for the top six? Kilmarnock is certainly headed in the right direction.

The hosts’ stats for the season read five wins, five draws, and six defeats, with 16 goals scored and 16 conceded. Two of their five league wins have come in their previous five games, with Killie banking seven of the last 15 points available. That form won’t see them challenge for the major places, but it could be enough to ensure Kilmarnock holds their own in the division, and they take heart from a stunning 1-0 win at Pittodrie on Wednesday.

Bhoys Respond in Style

Since losing a late goal, dropping two points against Motherwell at Parkhead, and losing 2-0 away to Lazio in the Champions League, Celtic have responded well. The Hoops have played two Premiership games and won both, banking six points, scoring seven goals, and conceding just two. They opened December with a comfortable 3-1 win over St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, recovering from losing an early goal with three second-half strikes.

Rodgers’ men hosted Hibs on Wednesday in a potential banana skin fixture. Celtic hadn’t beaten Hibs in their previous two games but brushed past the side from the capital with ease. South Korean Oh Hyeon-gyu netted a double, with the other goals scored by Matt O’Riley and Luis Palma, the latter converting from the penalty spot. Brendan will want to see his team take their scoring ways to Ayrshire.

Kilmarnock vs Celtic Odds

Betfred members can wager on Kilmarnock vs Celtic with over 100 pre-match markets available. If you don’t already have an account with Betfred, now is the perfect time to join and collect the generous welcome bonus free bet in time for Sunday’s game. Will you back an improving host or side with the visitors who are playing with confidence?

The betting odds currently available on the Betfred website and mobile app make for interesting reading. Fancy Kilmarnock to put a dent in Celtic’s title defence? Back a home win at odds of 6/1, or you can try the draw at a tempting 4/1. Those sticking with the league leaders can play Celtic to win at 3/10, and that’s sure to be popular in weekend Accas.

Bet 1: Both Teams to Score @ 5/6

Our first prediction in the Kilmarnock vs Celtic game is for both teams to score. The hosts enter with confidence after netting late to beat Aberdeen. The visit of Celtic is another huge task, but Kilmarnock is likely to create chances against a Celts side struggling with injuries who have looked fragile at corners and set-pieces in recent weeks.

Celtic will find the net as they will go on the attack early, create chances, and try to unlock the Killie defence. A bet on both teams to score would’ve earned you a profit in Celtic’s last three domestic games, including that 4-1 win over Hibs on Wednesday. Let’s stick with that trend and shoot for more of the same.

Bet 2: Kilmarnock or draw @ 21/10

We’re aiming for bigger odds and will try the double chance market for small stakes, backing Kilmarnock or the draw. We accept we’ll require our fair share of good fortune to get this prediction over the line. Still, Killie certainly has a chance at home on the artificial surface on Sunday at midday against an opponent being stretched to its limit. Kilmarnock nicked a late goal in the Granite City, and that could be the result that helps turn their season around.

Kilmarnock has confidence in the ranks, and in McInnes boasts an experienced manager who is familiar with what it takes to compete with Celtic. The Bhoys won’t welcome an early start in Ayrshire. At the same time, Rodgers will have one eye on the visit of Feyenoord on Wednesday in the Champions League, which could be another uncomfortable evening.

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