CELTIC stumbled before the international break and will be looking to take their frustration out on Motherwell when their SPFL Premiership title defence resumes.
The Hoops saw their perfect league record come crashing to an end in Paisley as St Mirren defied the odds to claim a shock 2-0 victory. That busted many a coupon but two of my bets still landed after dipping into the card and corner markets.
That sent the club into the break on a downer and there was more bad news for Ange Postecoglou with David Turnbull, Daizen Maeda, Sead Haksabanovic and Giorgos Giakoumakis picking up injuries on international duty.
That will be a concern with a Champions League trip to Leipzig looming but the Parkhead boss should still have enough firepower to get back on track in the Premiership against Motherwell.
After a promising start to Stevie Hammell's reign as boss, the Steelmen also slipped up before the international fixtures, losing 3-0 at home to Hearts after a stalemate with rock-bottom Dundee United.
Motherwell have collected just a point from their last three Premiership fixtures so it would be an even bigger shock than that Paisley defeat if the champions dropped more points here.
How the bookies view it
Motherwell are rank outsiders for this one and the Fir Park side can be backed at a massive 25/1 with Ladbrokes. Celtic's best price is a measly 3/19 at VBet while the draw pays 17/2 with Unibet.
Recent head to head
Celtic have bossed this fixture in recent seasons, winning the last 12 meetings since a 1-1 draw at Fir Park in 2018. You have to go back to 2015 for Motherwell's last victory but that did come at Celtic Park.
Players to watch
It's hard to predict who will line up for Celtic with so many players coming back from all corners of the globe. But Jota wasn't away on international duty and looks a stick-on to start, with the Portuguese winger 29/20 at Unibet for a goal.
Kevin van Veen has been Motherwell's main man up front and should get the nod to start here ahead of returning hero Louis Moult. The Dutchman is 9/2 with William Hill for anytime scorer.
Anything else catch the eye?
Celtic have won all their league games to nil at home so far this term but their defence looked all over the place in Paisley without key man Cameron Carter-Vickers. If the American misses out again it could pay to back both teams to score in this one at 6/5 with Unibet.
Postecoglou's side usually come flying out of the traps and that makes over 1.5 first-half goals another good option at 10/11 with McBookie.
Callum Slattery has collected three yellows in just seven outings for Motherwell this season and could be worth backing for another here. He sat out the loss to Hearts but if the midfielder returns here I fancy him for a card at 8/5 with Bet365.
This Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell will be played on Oct 1, 2022 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Celtic vs Motherwell prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
