NEIL LENNON returns to his old Easter Road stomping ground on Saturday knowing Celtic can ill afford to drop any more points in the title race.
His stellar work as Hibs boss helped Lennon seal a return to Parkhead but anything other than a victory here would lead to intense scrutiny about his future.
While the Northern Irishman is unbeaten against his old club since returning to Celtic his last two visits to Leith have ended in draws.
And if there’s another stalemate, which is 7-2 at McBookie, it will feel like a defeat for the Hoops.
The Hibees have already held Rangers to a 2-2 draw in the capital so Lennon’s side will need to hit top form to claim three vital points.
I cashed in by backing both teams to score in that clash with Gers and it also came up for me in Celtic’s last game at Motherwell.
That bet is priced 5-6 at McBookie here and is a good option with both sides still suspect at the back.
If you double both teams to score with a Celtic win the odds increase to 9-4 with BetVictor and the Hoops should shade this if they hit the same form they showed at Fir Park.
Odsonne Edouard has been out of sorts all season for the Parkhead side but netted a double for the French Under-21s in midweek.
He’s 23-20 with Betway for a goal here and that’s decent value if he’s fit enough to start.
Lennon managed to get the best out of Martin Boyle when he was Hibs boss so it would be a cruel twist if the winger netted. Boyle is as big as 5-1 with Paddy Power for anytime scorer and that seems overpriced.
If the Hoops win it would put a bit of pressure on Rangers ahead of their clash with Aberdeen on Sunday.
Steven Gerrard’s men have a perfect record at home, winning every league game without even conceding, so it’s easy to see why they are McBookie’s 3-10 favourites.
But the Dons have done well at Ibrox, losing just twice in their last five visits, and could make life hard.
This should be a tight game so I’m going for under 2.5 goals at 11-10 with McBookie while betting against both teams to score also appeals at 3-4 with BetVictor.
Hamilton shipped eight goals at Ibrox last time out so the Dundee United strikers will be looking forward to facing them at Tannadice.
United have been firing blanks of late, netting just three goals in their last seven, but this could be the game where they spark back into life.
Lawrence Shankland is 6-5 with Paddy Power to grab a goal and that will attract plenty of interest.
Kilmarnock’s clash with Ross County and St Mirren’s trip to Livingston don’t promise too many thrills. An under 2.5 goals double pays 11-5 at McBookie.
St Johnstone and Motherwell are in decent form so try both to score in their clash at evens (McBookie).
Super Singles
- Hibs v Celtic btts
- (5-6, McBookie)
- Shankland to score
- (6-5, Paddy Power)
Under 2.5 Goals Double
- Killie vs Ross County
- Livingston vs St Mirren
- (11-5, McBookie)
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
