Falkirk vs Celtic Prediction: Hoops to pick up a hard-fought victory

Martin O'Neill's return to Celtic started excellently with a 4-0 win over Dundee United on Saturday. Next up for the Hoops is a trip to Falkirk on Wednesday (19:30 GMT, Premier Sports 1) in the Scottish Premiership.

The hosts have won three of their last four league games, so this may be a tricky test for O'Neill's men. Below you will find my Falkirk vs Celtic predictions, supported by the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Ross MacIver, Lewis Neilson (both ankle), Gary Oliver (hamstring), Tom Lang (foot) and Jamie Sneddon (hernia) are all unavailable for Falkirk due to ongoing issues.

Manager John McGlynn should be tempted to stick with the same team that has overseen back-to-back victories in the league. This should see Calvin Miller and Finn Yeats continue on the flanks, with both players scoring against St Mirren last time out.

Football Odds

Marcelo Saracchi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmond (all hamstring), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles) and Jota (knee) are all sidelined for Celtic ahead of this midweek clash.

Auston Trusty will need to be assessed, as he was seen hobbling off in the victory over Dundee United on Saturday.

O'Neill reverted the side to a back four from Wilfried Nancy's failed three-at-the-back system, and so a similar lineup is to be expected here.

Today's Football Fixtures

Falkirk vs Celtic Odds

With three wins in four games, Falkirk may appeal at 11/2 to snatch the victory. Five of their 10 home matches in the league have ended in a draw, with the stalemate priced at 10/3.

Celtic were 4-0 winners in the reverse fixture, and they are the 1/2 favourites to pick up the three points. Three of the Hoops' past four away trips in the top flight have seen both teams score. Adding BTTS - Yes to this selection generates a 9/5 price, which has an implied probability of 35.7%.

Benjamin Nygren was on the scoresheet the last time these two sides faced one another, and he is the 1/1 favourite to score anytime on this occasion.

Match Result & Both Teams To Score - Celtic & Yes @ 9/5

With O'Neill back at the helm, there is a lot more faith in this Celtic team. A thumping 4-0 victory on his return was a strong start, but a tough test at Falkirk awaits. The Bairns are in form and are fighting for a top-six spot in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic have the tools to land a precious three points here, but I think they will be pushed all the way. The Hoops did win the reverse fixture 4-0, though, so that psychological advantage may have a part to play on Wednesday.

Falkirk will look to utilise the home advantage, but I think Celtic will ultimately have too much for them to handle and that the hosts will suffer a blip in their good run of form.

I do see them getting on the scoresheet, though, as BTTS - Yes has struck in three of Celtic's past four away trips in the top flight.

Anytime Goalscorer - Yang Hyun-jun @ 21/10

Birmingham City came close to signing Yang Hyun-jun in the summer from Celtic, and it is being reported that the Blues are still keeping tabs on the South Korean winger, as are fellow Championship side Preston North End.

The Scottish champions may be reluctant to let him go right now because he is going through a decent spell, having scored three goals across the previous four league games.

He is a player who is liked by O'Neill, and he is set to feature in attack once again. I think he is good value to add to his tally given the confidence he is playing with right now.

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