Celtic vs Aberdeen Prediction – Pride on the line as first take on second in the SPL

When the season started, few predicted anything other than a Celtic title. Neil Lennon’s men delivered accordingly and quickly the main focus on the Scottish Premier League turned towards who would finish in the second place spot. The battle between Aberdeen and Motherwell looks to have settled into a pattern, however, and Aberdeen find themselves in second place. What lies ahead for both teams, then, is pride. Aberdeen would take great joy from being able to halt the march of the champions while Celtic are looking to rack up as many points as possible during the season. With Celtic possessing the higher calibre of players, Aberdeen’s pair of striker could well trouble the league’s best defence, though the Glaswegians are likely to control the midfield.

Form

Currently on 92 points, there has been talk among the fans and the press of Celtic looking to break through the hundred point tally. With their season’s goal already achieved, this target seems to be the manager’s tool for keeping the players focused and determined to win. Unbeaten in their last eight, the champion’s last loss, was a 2-1 defeat against Saturday’s opponents so Celtic will have the added incentive of setting the record straight.

With this victory in mind, however, Aberdeen might be confident in their abilities to take something from the game. Their victory in the prior meeting means that their unbeaten run stretches back a match further than their opponents. Too many draws have cost them a higher points total, however. They do possess the second best defence in the league, which might be key to containing Scotland’s most potent attack.

Team News

Following their six nil victory over Inverness, Celtic have no new injury concerns going into this game. However, Lennon might be tempted to rotate his squad and exhibit the depth which have led them to the title. Henderson, Pukki and Lustig could all do with a start after being subbed on in the last game.

Aberdeen continue to keep most of their players healthy though their lack of comparative depth might show against the league’s richest club. With the club not being forced to make substitutions at the weekend, the manager will not know of any new concerns to trouble him.

Celtic

P35 W29 D05 L01

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Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3): Forster; Lustig, Izaguirre, Emuobo, van Dijk; Brown, Henderson, Johansen; Griffiths, Commons, Pukki

Aberdeen

P35 W19 D08 L08

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Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2): Brill; Shinnie, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco; Draper, Doran, Tansey. Williams; McKay, Ross.

Prediction: Celtic 3 – 1 Aberdeen

Aberdeen will certainly want to make their mark, but home advantage will likely see Celtic’s scoring run continue.