HEARTS usually give the Old Firm a massive test at Tynecastle but tonight's game looks to have come too soon for Daniel Stendel.
The new boss will need time to turn around a struggling team and it couldn't have started worse than a 1-0 home defeat to St Johnstone.
I can't see how Hearts can improve so much in four days to challenge the champions and the team news also reads bad for them with Christophe Berra and Jamie Brandon doubts, Uche Ikpeazu banned and Steven Naismith, Aidy White, Callumn Morrison, Peter Haring, John Souttar, Ben Garuccio and Conor Washington all out.
Celtic, who expect to have star man Ryan Christie fit again, are flying and to move five points clear of Rangers before they play Hibs on Friday is a massive motivation.
The Hoops are of course short-priced at a best 2-7 with McBookie but they should win by at least two at 3-4 with Betway – that's been cut since I put up my Super Single at 17-20.
It's been 2-1 Celtic in the last two meetings at Tynecastle but they're up against a poorer outfit trying to find their feet under Stendel.
Hearts held Rangers at home earlier in the season and while the Jambos could be lifted by a packed crowd and raucous atmosphere but look well off the pace at the bottom of the table with St Johnstone.
Celtic on the other hand have won 13 out of 14 with their only defeat against Cluj in a meaningless Europa League tie.
For the more ambitious Celtic -2 is worth considering at 9-4 with betfair.
I can see a red being shown in the game, especially if Hearts get frustrated, and that pays 16-5 with McBookie.
Odsonne Edouard marked his comeback with the opener against Hibs on Sunday and is 10-3 to strike first again.
At bigger prices you can consider Chris Jullien at 22-1 with Betway or Jeremie Frimpong at 35-1 with McBookie.
Super Singles
- Celtic -1
- (17-20, Betway)
- Edouard to score first
- (10-3, McBookie)
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.
Couple of bets for tonight
Hearts vs Celtic
I’m focussing on cards tonight for what I expect to be a fiery encounter. I can see the possibility of a red card and Hearts won’t be able to keep up with the pace of Celtic, especially Christie. Two players I think likely of a sending off are Hearts defender Christophe Berra and their goalkeeper Zdenek Zlamal. Berra is 66/1 with Skybet to be sent off yet he’s only 12/1 with Paddy Power. Goalkeeper Zlamal is favourite player to be sent off at 11/1 with Skybet yet 100/1 with Bet365. I’ve also done a speculative bet with small stakes on Zlamal sent off and Brown booked at 500/1 with Bet365’s Bet Builder. Another couple of interesting bets I seen was Christie to score anytime from outside the box at 20/1 and Forrest to score anytime from outside the box at 22/1, both with Skybet. The same bet is only 7/1 with Hills. I know these bets are long shots so be careful with stakes and if any come up trumps it will be a jolly Christmas for all.
Recommended Bets
CHRISTOPHE BERRA TO BE SENT OFF @ 66/1
ZDENEK ZLAMAL TO BE SENT OFF @ 100/1
ZLAMAL BOOKED AND BROWN SENT OFF @ 500/1
CHRISTIE TO SCORE ANYTIME FROM OUTSIDE @ 20/1
FORREST TO SCORE ANYTIME FROM OUTSIDE @ 22/1
Good luck everyone if you decide to get on.
cant agree on celtic flying . they rode their luck against rangers then had hibs at home and hibs had chances . I think hearts could get something and maybe even a close one with celtic edging it – going for hearts plus 2 (10/11)
They won fairly well against Hibs and we know they were lucky against Rangers but they still have 13 wins out of 14.
Good luck anyway – in football anything can happen.
I have done Tic -1 with quite a big stake. Of course anything can happen but this is a poor Hearts team at the moment.Celtic also rode their luck v Hamilton but strolled away at Aberdeen.GL all.