SlipsTips shares a Bet Builder ahead of Celtic’s crunch clash with Hearts in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Celtic vs Hearts, Saturday (12:30)
Parkhead sets the stage for a dramatic Scottish Premiership finale on Saturday afternoon, with the outcome of Celtic and Hearts’ clash set to decide the destination of the title on the final day of the season.
The two sides head into this make-or-break encounter separated by just a single point at the top of the table.
Hearts retained their place at the summit with a 3-0 win over Falkirk on Wednesday night, while Celtic kept the pressure on with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park, a game that brought up my player-based selection.
Over 0.5 Celtic Goals
I’m going to get the Bet Builder underway by backing Celtic to score at least once. The Hoops have hit the back of the net in 17 of their 18 Scottish Premiership home matches this season, including all 12 under Martin O’Neill’s management.
With Celtic hitting top form at precisely the right time and knowing only a win will do here, it’s difficult to picture them drawing a blank at Parkhead on Saturday afternoon.
What’s more, Hearts have shown signs of vulnerability on the road in recent months, winning just one of their last six league games away from Tynecastle, while failing to keep a clean sheet in any of those contests. It's also worth noting that Derek McInnes’s men have failed to keep the back doors shut in each of their previous three meetings with Celtic this season.
Cameron Devlin To Commit 1+ Foul
Now for the first of two player-based selections, I'm going with Cammy Devlin to commit at least one foul. The combative Hearts midfielder has returned from injury at the perfect time for the title run-in, and he is certain to be heavily involved in what should be a fiercely contested midfield battle on Saturday afternoon.
Across his 29 Scottish Premiership appearances this season, Devlin has averaged 1.69 fouls per game, while he has also been penalised in both of Hearts’ last two matches against Motherwell and Falkirk.
The Australian is likely to come up against Celtic’s midfield trio of Arne Engels, Callum McGregor and Benjamin Nygren, all three of whom are adept at drawing fouls and winning free kicks for their side.
Lawrence Shankland To Commit 1+ Foul
I’m going to round off the Bet Builder by backing Lawrence Shankland to commit at least one foul. The Hearts captain leads the line with plenty of aggression and physicality, reflected in the fact he is averaging 0.79 fouls per game in the Scottish Premiership this season.
A closer look at the numbers makes this selection even more appealing, with Shankland committing at least one foul in eight of his last 11 starts, while he has also picked up two yellow cards across his previous four outings.
The Scotland international is likely to find himself involved in plenty of physical duels with Celtic centre-back Auston Trusty, who has been fouled four times across the Hoops’ last two matches.
This three-legged Bet Builder pays 21/20 with bet365, and that looks like a solid bit of value.
Recommended Bets
- Over 0.5 Celtic Goals
- Cameron Devlin To Commit 1+ Foul
- Lawrence Shankland To Commit 1+ Foul
- Bet Builder – 21/20 (bet365)
Grant Heaney, aka SlipsTips, is a Freelance Football and Darts Writer with over six years experience. Grant has written football and darts betting content for some of the biggest betting websites and newspapers in the UK. He is a Falkirk season ticket holder and avid watcher of football and darts, whether it be UK-based or further afield. You can find all of his tips on X @SlipsTips
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