Kilmarnock vs Celtic Prediction: Captain McGregor will prove the difference on Sunday

Celtic face a huge challenge in East Ayrshire on Sunday when visiting Rugby Park for a 15:00 start live on Sky Sports Football.

Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse previews the match, offering his thoughts on what’s sure to be an exciting 90 minutes. He also gives us his two bets for the match as he takes us through his Kilmarnock vs Celtic Predictions...

Kilmarnock welcome Celtic to Rugby Park for a Sunday showdown that’ll attract a bumper audience. All eyes are on the visitors to see how they react to a bitterly disappointing transfer window.

The champions are weaker than they were last month, causing unrest among supporters and attracting ridicule in the media. Fans want the board gone following a disastrous early exit from the Champions League. Boss Brendan Rodgers knows the best way to get them back onside is to keep winning games.

Kilmarnock may be the home team, but they’ll slip into their stadium almost unnoticed. Experienced boss Stuart Kettlewell knows all the pressure is on the Hoops before kick-off.

As a result, the locals can play without fear, plotting to cause an upset and heap misery on their opponents. Can Kilmarnock upset the pre-match betting odds and take at least a point from this match? You can make predictions and place bets at Betfred now.

Match Result Odds:

Despite the off-field problems at Celtic Park, there are no real surprises in the betting, with Betfred traders happy to side with the away dressing room. The locals started the weekend sitting sixth in the Premiership, clutching an unbeaten record.

They’ve played four and drawn four, taking a point from Livingston, Hibs, Dundee, and Motherwell. The Pride of Ayrshire also knocked Dundee United out of the League Cup with a 2-1 home win. You can back Kilmarnock at an astonishing 10/1 on the Betfred app and website.

Despite mounting problems at the boardroom level and fury in the stands, Celtic have performed well domestically. They began their title defence with a hard-earned 1-0 home win over St Mirren, claimed a 2-0 at Pittodrie, scored three goals without reply when Livingston came to Glasgow, and took a point from Ibrox before the international break.

Another victory would keep them in pole position. You can trust Celtic in the match-winner market at 1/4 or try the draw at a tempting 9/2. Have traders overestimated Celtic or underestimated Killie with those prices?

*You can bet on this match via our Kilmarnock vs Celtic Odds page on the main betfred.com website with all the latest prices and full betting markets.

Under 3.5 Goals

With a tense afternoon expected, our first bet is on under 3.5 in the total goals market. At 8/13, that’s a bet best suited to your weekend multiples, but the stats suggest we’ll get a run for our money. With this pick, the winner, final score, and even the goalscorers aren’t important.

As long as Kilmarnock vs Celtic produces fewer than four goals for both teams combined, you’ll boost your betting balance.

The head-to-head stats show under 3.5 goals would’ve been a winning bet in two of the last three games involving these teams. These rivals have met four times at Rugby Park over the previous two seasons, with the results reading 0-2, 0-5, 2-1, and 1-0.

That shows under 3.5 was the correct bet in three of four, and also highlights Kilmarnock won half of those meetings. Celtic failed to find the net in their last two games and three of four in all competitions. Follow our thinking and hope for another tight contest.

Callum McGregor to score

Our second play in Kilmarnock comes at a better price, and we’re backing Celtic captain Callum McGregor to find the net.

You can bet on the Scotsman to break the deadlock on Sunday at 11/1, but we’re taking the safety net offered by the anytime scorer market. If the 32-year-old Glaswegian midfielder scores at any point during the 90 minutes, you’ll secure a handsome profit. And there’s reason to be hopeful.

McGregor scored the first in a 2-1 home win over Killie back in January. He also notched the opener in a 2-0 away win late last year, netting in the dying seconds of the first half.

He has yet to score for his team this season, but Sunday looks the perfect time to get off the mark. The manager, his players and the Celtic fans are looking for someone to stand up and deliver in a time of uncertainty. The captain has already proven he has the character to do just that.

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Frank Monkhouse Scottish Football P/L