CELTIC have resumed their Premiership campaign in businesslike style with a couple of one-goal wins and entertain St Johnstone at Parkhead on Christmas Eve.
Hoops boss Ange Postecouglou expressed disappointment as his side passed up a hatful of chances against Livingston and ended up only winning 2-1.
They had previously needed a late goal from Callum McGregor to beat Aberdeen at Pittodrie despite near-total domination for 90 minutes.
It's fair to say they are not quite at their swashbuckling best, but they still look like a level above anything else in the Premiership including Rangers and they have plenty of gears to find.
However, they will get another stuffy challenge from a St Johnstone side who appear to be heading in the right direction after a horror campaign last season where they needed to play-offs to escape.
Saints mounted an excellent comeback win in Dingwall last week and are now unbeaten in six which has yielded four wins including against Rangers.
They are looking at a return to Europe on this form and, as usual, can regard a trip to Glasgow as something of a free hit. Celtic will want to retain their nine-point gap at the top, with Rangers in Dingwall the night before.
How the bookies view it
It's the usual mismatch according to the layers, with Celtic around 1/9, although Boylesports are giving you 1/7 for the big-hitters. St Johnstone can be backed at 25/1 on Berfair sportsbook and the draw is 8/1 with Paddy Power.
Recent head to heads
The sides met in a dramatic encounter in Perth in October when an Alex Mitchell goal in injury time looked like it would rescue a point for the hosts until Georgios Giakoumakis netted the winner almost immediately afterward to break Saints' hearts.
Celtic have won the last six meetings including a 7-0 thrashing on St Johnstone's last visit to Parkhead.
Players to watch
Celtic strikers aren't in the greatest of form right now, so it might be worth considering alternatives. Callum McGregor was the hero against the Dons last week and the skipper could be value at 6/1 to score anytime here with William Hill.
Ali Crawford was St Johnstone's matchwinner last week in the Highlands with a double and the former Hamilton Accies man is 14/1 to score on Saturday with William Hill.
Anything else catch the eye?
There's always a worry Celtic could hand out a battering if their inevitable dominance turns to goals, but St Johnstone should approach this with confidence and they are a well-organised unit.
Celtic should still win, but Saints can leave Parkhead with their heads held high. Back them on the handicap with a 2.5 goals start at 13/17 with 10Bet which means they can afford to lose by two goals and still win.
On a similar route, Boylesports' 23/20 on a home win, but under 3.5 goals looks a solid shout, which has happened in Celtic's last four games.
Finally, with Celtic set to rake up the corners as always at home, they are playing a Saints team who contribute themselves having won 14 corners in their last two games. They are also happy to concede them too – they defended 20 corners in one game against Rangers and still won!
Take the 17/20 for over 10.5 corners with UniBet.
This Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and St Johnstone will be played on Dec 24, 2022 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Celtic vs St Johnstone prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
