CELTIC will look to make an immediate return to winning ways when they lock horns with Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday lunchtime.
The Hoops started their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 loss at Feyenoord on Tuesday, on a night where the Scottish champions' ill-discipline saw them end the game with nine men.
However, Brendan Rodgers' side cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves and must now switch their attention back to domestic matters.
After sweeping aside Dundee 3-0 at Parkhead last Saturday, Rodgers and Co will be hoping to replicate that performance when they head to West Lothian this weekend.
David Martindale's side are notorious for being a tough nut to crack and that has certainly proved to be the case during the early stretch of the season.
The Lions have lost just one of their opening five league games of the season, most recently coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw at Ross County.
Outright Betting
Livingston's previous two Scottish Premiership home matches this season ended all square but the same outcome on Saturday is as big as 5/1 (Bet 365) while a home win is available at a whopping 11/1 (PaddyPower).
Trips to the Tony Macaroni have not always been straightforward for Celtic in recent years, however the Hoops are heavy 2/7 (Bet 365) favourites on Saturday.
Betting Angles
You won't get rich backing Celtic at the above-mentioned price but bundling up an away win with Over 1 Livingston Card will bring about backable 4/5 (Bet 365) Bet Builder.
Although Livi have been a proverbial thorn in Celtic’s side in recent years, the Scottish champions have actually come out on top in each of the last four meetings between the pair, a sample that includes each of their last two visits to this venue.
What' more, the defensive solidity that has served the Lions so well in recent seasons appears to have evaporated, as evidenced by the fact David Martindale's backline has been breached in 19 of their last 21 Scottish Premiership assignments.
That doesn't bode well ahead of visit from a wounded Celtic side in need of a response following their midweek setback in Rotterdam, so much so that I'm backing the Bhoys to bounce back with a win in West Lothian this weekend.
With Celtic likely to dictate the tempo of the game, and Livingston looking to sit deep and soak up pressure, I’ll also back David Martindale's battle-hardened side to pick up at least two bookings.
The home team have racked three or more cards in four of their opening five league games of the season, so I'm more than happy to side with a couple of cautions here on an afternoon where a bumper Bhoys away support could impose influence over referee John Beaton.
Elsewhere, I'm also keen to get on board with Kyogo Furuhashi to get on the scoresheet at 19/20 with William Hill.
The Japanese striker has been terrorising top-flight defences ever since arriving in Scotland and he can extend his lead at the top of this season's Scottish Premiership scoring charts by putting Livi to the sword on the Saturday.
This Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic will be played on Sep 23, 2023 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Livingston vs Celtic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
