CELTIC have bounced off the ropes in time for this Boxing Day clash with Dundee but a defeat at Dens would leave them reeling again ahead of a heavyweight title bout with Rangers.
Having suffered back-to-back Premiership defeats against Kilmarnock and Hearts, the Hoops got back on track as they defeated rock-bottom Livingston at Parkhead on Saturday.
That eased some of the anger among the Celtic support after watching their side blow what was once a commanding lead over their bitter rivals but it will count for nothing if they don't follow it up with another victory in Dundee.
It's the final game before a huge derby with Rangers at Parkhead and the mood music will change a little if Brendan Rodgers manages to outwit Philippe Clement to preserve his side's lead heading into the winter break.
While Celtic's season has been a big disappointment so far, the same thing can't said for Dundee with Tony Docherty doing a superb job in his first management gig.
Most people expected the Dark Blues to be battling against the drop after winning promotion but Docherty instead has them pushing for a top-six place.
Strong home form has been a major reason for that, with Rangers and Hibernian the only teams to have claimed a victory at Dens so far this season. So this is a potential banana skin for Celtic as they bid to avoid another damaging slip-up in the SPFL Premiership title race.
How the bookies view it
Even though Dundee's home form has been superb they are rank outsiders here at 10/1 with Coral. Celtic's best price is just 3/10 with Bet365 while the draw pays 5/1 at QuinnBet.
Recent head to head
Celtic won 3-0 when these sides met at Parkhead earlier in the season but were made to wait for their victory as all the goals came in the second half. You have to go all the way back to 2001 for Dundee's last victory against the Hoops and 13 of the last 14 meetings have ended in Celtic wins.
Players to watch
Amadou Bakayoko is the kind of powerful striker that could give Celtic's defence a few problems. The Forest Green loanee scored against Rangers at Ibrox earlier this month and is 11/2 at Bet365 to net against the other half of the Old Firm.
Luis Palma has been blowing hot and cold for Celtic of late but the winger is usually a big goal threat. He also takes the penalties and that makes him a good option for anytime scorer at 12/5 with Bet365, even though he let me down when I backed him to score against Hearts.
Anything else catch the eye?
Celtic won 9-1 on the corner count when they faced Dundee at home earlier this season and that trend should continue at Dens. I'd expect the Dark Blues to win more spot-kicks themselves at home so total corners may be a better option than the handicap here. But I've yet to see any prices with the bookies offering limited markets so far.
Dundee's Jordan McGhee has picked up two yellow cards in his last five outings and should be at the heart of the midfield battle here. He's 6/1 with Bet365 to go into the book again here and that looks overpriced.
It took the Hoops a while to break Dundee at Parkhead and it was a similar story on Saturday against Livingston so backing most goals to come after the break at Dens could pay off. That bet pays evens at McBookie.
This Scottish Premiership match between Dundee and Celtic will be played on Dec 26, 2023 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Dundee vs Celtic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Over 0.5 goals in game combined with
Over 9.5 celtics corners 5/2
Over 10.5 4-1
Over 11.5 6-1
Over 12.5 9-1
William hill
Over .5 goals and over 13.5 Celtic corners came in at 13-2 against Livingston last game