CELTIC will have Gran Canaria on their minds – but not until they take care of Kilmarnock in a vital Premiership clash.
The Hoops are heading on a sunshine break and having postponed this weekend's meeting with St Johnstone they'll want to cut the four-point lead Aberdeen have at the top of the table.
If Celtic lose they could be seven points adrift when they return and I can't see them slipping up for the third time in a row after losing at Dundee United and drawing with Ross County at Parkhead.
The Hoops have a fine record at Rugby Park and the only concern is a new plastic pitch which Killie quite rightly refused to allow Celtic to train on.
Celtic have won eight of their last nine visits to Rugby Park and racked up some big scores – 3-0, 5-2, 6-0 and 4-0 among others – but that was on the grass of course.
Although Killie have won two in a row I'm on the away even though it pays no more than 1-3 at BetVictor and Ladbrokes.
I can see Celtic laying down a marker to Dons before flying away and I'm doing a small bet on them minus one at 5-6 with Paddy Power.
Celtic have dropped John Guidetti to the bench so I'm going with Kris Commons to score first at 9-2 with Paddy Power as he aims to impress. The Englishman hit a hat-trick at Rugby Park last season – albeit on grass.
Killie are short in midfield with Craig Slater banned after being sent off for his goal celebration at St Mirren. Jamie Hamill, Sammy Clingan, Daryl Westlake and Michael Ngoo are all injured.
For Killie playmaker and deadbal expert Alexei Eremenko is 16-1 at bet365 and William Hill having netted in his last two games – a penalty and a free-kick.
Recommended Bets
Celtic -1
(5-6, Paddy Power)
Commons to score first
(9-2, Paddy Power)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
I am always cautious of betting against a home team that has an artificial pitch, the ball bounces and slides across the surface much more differently than on proper grass, having said that, maybe the injuries Kilmarnock have will equal it up a bit.
Read on the other thread that Denayer was good odds for first goal scorer and it’s right. Took it myself @ 25/1 always fancy him at set pieces.
Also not too sure about the spurs game due to the never say due attitude of Burnley. Can see goals though over 3.5 is 9/4 William Hills.
GOALSCORER TIP
KILMARNOCK VS CELTIC
With Aberdeen 4pts clear at the top of the premier league, Celtic need to get back to winning ways. Jason Denayer returns from injury and he’s your man to score anytime. For obvious reasons I’ll also be putting small stakes on First Goalscorer too.
Recommended Bets:
JASON DENAYER FIRST GOALSCORER @ 25/1 (William Hill)
JASON DENAYER ANYTIME GOALSCORER @ 8/1 (Betfred)
Good luck everyone.
Small stakes on Kilmarnock at 9/1 for me. That’s way overpriced.
Celtic have great record at killie so i would reccomend minus 2. Celtic need the 3 points and i believe they will go out there and bang in a few goals
Of course its risky so just a small bet. Celtic -2 15/8 william hill
-1 will has come in in 7 of last 9 games
Posted this yesterday
Thoughts for tomorrow gents
Kilmarnock v Celtic KO 7.45pm
For the first time this season Celtic have an important league game! They now trail Aberdeen by 4 points and will want to reduce the gap to help extinguish any talk of it being a two horse tirle race! For me it’s bad news for Killie, espeially as Celtic absolutely love playing Killie at rugby park! They’ve lost just 4 of their last 40 vists and have scored 2 or more in 17 consecutive trips here which is inpressive! ( 11 were 3 or more). Killie after a good start have really at struggles of late – I fancy Celtic to win tomorrow and win well!
Celtic over 2.5 Team goals 11/10 NAP
Creltic -1 8/11
pleease i need a reply as as possible… I want to know about the match between TNS versus CERN DRUID in Wales league..will the match be replay from the beginning or will it start from second half
If a match has to be replayed, it will be from start to finish. TNS in that game think were 4 up and according to bet365 it ticked it off as completed, it was in a treble I had, let down by Liverpool.
Mike Phelan set to be the new Norwich Manager.
Celtic to win both halives 6/4.
Great record at Rugby Park over the years. Don’t think the pitch will be an issue, Celtic have played on artificial more than Kilmarnock overy the years.
9/1 does seem big on a home win. Celtic are coming off a thoroughly disappointing draw against Ross County. Small stakes for an interest…
Over 2.5 goals Union Espanola vs Audax Italiano (Chile D1)
Scepovic to start in place of Guidetti is what I have heard.
4/1 FGS
21/20 anytime with bet365
All over that.
Reilly,if that’s the case I’d go Griffiths to score first but I’m not doing my bets until I see the teams.
CELTIC Gordon; Matthews, Ambrose, van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton; Henderson, Johansen, Commons; Scepovic
SUBS Zaluska, Guidetti, Griffiths, O’Connell, Fisher, McGregor, Thomson
Commons is playing with the FOR SALE sign around his neck.
Get on Celtic minus 1 at 5/6 is a steal.
KILMARNOCK Samson, Barbour, Hamill, Connolly, McKenzie, Johnston, Ashcroft, Eremenko, Chantler, O’Hara, Magennis
SUBS Brennan, Cairney, Pascali, Muirhead, Syme, Splaine, Hawkshaw
Liam Henderson 1st goal @16-1 with ladbrokes