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[monks data]
Kilmarnock logo
Scottish Premiership
Jan 5, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Celtic logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Izaguirre (36'), Scepovic (72')

Preview: Kilmarnock vs. Celtic

Sports Mole previews Celtic's Scottish Premiership trip to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock as the champions hope to regain top spot in the table from Aberdeen.

Celtic will be looking to reclaim top spot in the Scottish Premiership when they travel to Kilmarnock on Monday.

The Bhoys have surrendered first place to Aberdeen after collecting just one point from their last two matches.

The Dons have won five matches in a row to erase Celtic's cushion at the summit, but Ronny Deila is unconcerned by their good form and has complete faith that his side will clinch the title this season.

John Guidetti rediscovering his form will help the reigning champions return to top gear. The 0-0 draw with Ross County on December 27 was the fifth game in a row in which the Swede has failed to score.

The Manchester City loanee, who has 11 goals in 17 appearances in all competitions this season, is usually partnered by Anthony Stokes, but the striker is an injury doubt for the trip to Rugby Park.

Stefan Scepovic and Leigh Griffiths are fighting to fill that void, while Callum McGregor could also be recalled to a Celtic side which has had four more days rest than their opponents ahead of this match, with their New Year's Day match against Patrick Thistle having been abandoned.

Allan Johnston has been forced to rotate over the bust Christmas period, but it has not prevented them from recording consecutive victories which have seen them close the gap on the top six.

Regular such as Manuel Pascali and Jamie Hamill could be welcomed back, but key midfielder Temitope Obadeyi is still unavailable and Craig Slater suspended after his red card in the 2-1 win at St Mirren.

Killy have lost their last six games against Celtic, including a 2-0 defeat at Parkhead earlier this term.

Kilmarnock:

Form in Scottish Premiership: LDLLWW
Form in all competitions: LDLLWW

Possible starting lineup: Samson; Connolly, Muirhead, Hamill; Barber, Ashcroft, Eremenko, Chantler, Pascali; Magennis, McKenzie

Celtic:

Form in Scottish Premiership: WWWWLD
Form in all competitions: WWLWLD

Possible starting lineup: Gordon; Matthews, Ambrose, Van Dijk, Izaguirre; Brown, Bitton, Johanson, McGregor; Griffiths, Guidetti

Sports Mole says: 0-2


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Written by
Joe Fish
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Celtic's James Forrest celebrates his last-gasp winner against Shakhtar Karagandy on August 28, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1614204444044
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd176742519625
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Hearts1844102027-716
11Ross County183691435-2115
12St Johnstone1842122134-1314


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