MOTHERWELL host Celtic on Sunday afternoon with both sides suffering disappointing weekends in the league last weekend.
Celtic's 100 per cent league record was spoiled after they threw away a two-goal lead against Aberdeen and they remained joint top with the Dons.
And of course they were in midweek action in the Champions League in Italy where they deservedly earned plenty of plaudits for a fine defensive display to earn a point after a goalless draw with Atalanta, with Liam Scales and Auston Trusty in particular at the back.
Motherwell were going great guns after a summer of upheaval when manager Stuart Kettlewell more or less had to assemble a new squad.
They were on a great run of five wins out of six in all competitions with their only defeat at high-flying Aberdeen.
But they suffered something of a surprise defeat last week at home to Dundee and their home record against Celtic is dismal.
How the bookies view it: Celtic Well up for the win
Celtic are predictably very short here with a best price of 2/7 with William Hill. Motherwell can be backed at 9/1 with the same firm and bet365 are offering 6/1 for the draw.
Recent head to heads: Celtic love Lanarkshire
Fir Park has been a happy hunting ground for the Hoops in recent years. They have won on their last nine visits to Motherwell's ground.
Well haven't defeated Celtic at home for 11 years when they did a home double.
Players to watch: Imagine a Lennon goal
Lennon Miller is Scotland's best young prospect by a distance and this season the 18-year-old has added goals to his games. He has scored six this season for Motherwell and Scotland Under 21s and takes penalties. He is worth a wild punt to score anytime at 13/2 with bet365.
Arne Engels hasn't quite lived up to his £11 million pricetag but the Belgian international takes penalties and is 15/4 with bet365 to score anytime.
Predicted line-ups:
Motherwell have plenty of injury worries with Paul McGinn, Callum Slattery, Sam Nicholson, Harry Paton, Ross Callachan and Jack Vale all missing.
Celtic have full back Greg Taylor and Cameron Carter-Vickers still missing.
Motherwell: Oxborough, O'Donnell, Casey, Gordon, Balmer, Wilson, Zdravkovski, Halliday, Miller, Stamatelopolous, Robinson.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Valle, McGregor, Engels, Hatate, Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda.
Anything else catch the eye?
Although Celtic should get the job done, they have a slight vulnerability at the back recently and Well can score here in what is likely to be an eventual defeat.
Both teams to score and a Celtic win has come up in all three of the Hoops' last three visits to Fir Park and looks a good shout at 6/4 with Betfred.
As stated, a Miller goal is worth a small stakes punt too.
Somewhat bizarrely, prior to their weekend's defeat, Motherwell's last five games all finished in a 2-1 scoreline either way.
That would tend to suggest this could be an entertaining game and an away win and over 3.5 goals is worth a go at 13/10 with William Hill.
This Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Celtic will be played on Oct 27, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Motherwell vs Celtic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
