Celtic can take another giant step towards lifting their fourth Scottish Premiership title in a row with a positive result at Celtic Park on Friday night, knowing that top spot could be secured without kicking a ball the following day.

For that to happen, the Hoops must pick up a victory against Dundee in front of their home supporters and hope that Aberdeen fail to claim maximum points in their meeting with Dundee United on Saturday afternoon.

Celtic

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Their dreams of winning a treble this season may now be over following a surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup earlier this month, but Celtic are still on course to add another couple of trophies to their collection.

With the Scottish League Cup already in the bag, all focus now is on getting over the line in the league to lift the title for an unprecedented 46th time.

Aberdeen, currently second in the table and eight points off the Bhoys, are the only side remaining who can stop Celtic from continuing their domination at the top of the standings. Six wins in their last seven has seen Ronnie Deila's men burst clear, though, and they can wrap things up this weekend should results go their way.

It is perhaps unsurprising that the reigning champions boast the best defensive and attacking statistics in the division, but what does come as a shock is the main source of goals in recent weeks.

Leigh Griffiths, who joined the club from Wolverhampton Wanderers last year, has netted 18 times this season, including two hat-tricks in his last three league outings. That has taken him above John Guidetti in the battle to be crowned Hoops top gun at the end of the campaign, and with the Feyenoord target unlikely to be at the club next season, Griffiths could very well have another big part to play.

Recent form in Scottish Premiership: WWDWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WDWLWW

Dundee

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Three league defeats in a row, including a 2-1 reverse at Friday night opponents Celtic, have left Dundee sitting at the bottom of the top end of the table.

The recent split of the division ensures that the Dees are in no threat of relegation, while a place in Europe appears to be some way off at this stage. That means it is simply a case of jostling for position in the closing weeks of the campaign, with rivals Dundee United sitting directly above them in fifth place.

Paul Hartley's men will have a big say in how things pan out at the top end of the table, however, as they take on each of the division's top three sides before the end of the campaign.

There is also another local derby meeting with their neighbours to look forward to on the last day, which could go a long way to deciding where exactly they finish in the final table.

Dundee have been dealt a blow heading into the game, with news that striker Greg Stewart, who has been nominated for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award, will be unable to add to his tally of 15 goals for the campaign due to a red card picked up last time out.

Recent form: DDWLLL

Team News

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Stefan Johansen returned to the Celtic starting lineup for their victory over the Terrors last weekend, and he may be handed a second start in succession following his recent rest.

Defensive duo Charlie Mulgrew and Mikael Lustig are not expected to return for the Celtic Park clash, meaning a place at full-back for Wales international Adam Matthews.

In terms of the visiting side, they will need to replace suspended striker Stewart for their trip to Glasgow. Luka Tankulic and youngster Craig Wighton, who were both brought off the bench against St Johnstone, are vying for a starting spot.

Dundee's German star Thomas Konrad did not emerge for the second half in that 2-0 defeat at Dens Park, meaning that Iain Davidson may be given the nod in the heart of defence.

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Gordon, Matthews, Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre, Brown, Bitton, Commons, Johansen, Armstrong, Griffiths

Dundee possible starting lineup:
Bain, McGinn, Davidson, McPake, Dyer, Thomson, McGowan, McAlister, Heffernan, Clarkson, Tankulic

Head To Head

The Dark Blues' last victory over the Hoops came back in May 2001, in a run of results stretching back 22 fixtures. Add into the mix the fact that Celtic have failed to win just three of those games, and it is no surprise to see Deila's men installed as firm favourite to prevail once again.

Champions-elect Celtic have scored 14 goals in their last six meetings against Dundee, with the 1-1 draw played out at Dens Park earlier this season proving to be an anomaly rather than the norm.

The Bhoys also eased past their opponents to advance through in the early rounds of the Scottish Cup last year, claiming a straightforward 2-0 win thanks to goals from Griffiths and Johansen.

We say: Celtic 3-0 Dundee

Dundee have little left to play for on the face of it, drifting along in the top half of the table and quite content that they will finish no lower than sixth, while Celtic head into this fixture knowing that the title could be theirs this weekend should they complete their part of the deal.

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