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Hearts logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 34
May 7, 2023 at 2.15pm UK
Tynecastle Park
Celtic logo

Hearts
0 - 2
Celtic


Cochrane (45')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Furuhashi (67'), Oh (80')
O'Riley (45+5')

Preview: Hearts vs. Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash between Hearts and Celtic, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Celtic will be crowned champions of Scotland for a 53rd time if they get the better of Hearts at Tynecastle on Sunday afternoon.

Hoping to delay Celtic's title celebrations, Hearts will be looking to build on an eye-catching 6-1 thrashing of Ross County last time out.


Match preview

Hearts Josh Ginnelly celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 8, 2023© Reuters

Hearts head into the second phase of the Scottish Premiership season with renewed hope after ending a run of five straight losses with a commanding victory over Ross County a fortnight ago.

The Jam Tarts dominated the Staggies throughout the contest, racking up 30 shots while enjoying 64% possession, with Josh Ginnelly bagging a brace and Lawrence Shankland netting a hat-trick.

Shankland has now scored 21 goals in 32 Premiership matches this season, contributing almost 40% of his team's league goals, while only Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi has scored more goals in Scotland's top tier in 2022-23.

Although Hearts have lost seven of their last 10 league games, they will be hopeful of finishing the campaign on a high note under interim manager Steven Naismith, who replaced Robbie Neilson in the Tynecastle hot seat last month.

Not only have Hearts won three of their last four home league matches, but they have also won seven of their previous nine, giving Naismith plenty of reasons for optimism ahead of the visit of Celtic.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou celebrates after the match on April 30, 2023© Reuters

Ange Postecoglou's men finished the first phase of the Scottish Premiership season with a shock 1-1 draw against Motherwell, who ended Celtic's 17-game winning streak in the process.

However, the Bhoys bounced straight back with a 1-0 victory over arch-rivals Rangers in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup, meaning that a domestic treble is well and truly on the cards.

Celtic have been almost unstoppable in the Premiership this season, winning 30 of their 33 encounters to leave them 13 points clear of Rangers with five matches remaining, with a solitary defeat coming throughout 2022-23.

With a whopping 103 goals to their name, Postecoglou's side average more than three goals per game in the league this term, and they also boast the best defensive record in the division, having conceded just 25 goals.

Bidding to clinch an 11th Scottish Premiership crown in 12 years, Celtic will be eager to secure the silverware as early as possible, although the title celebrations are inevitable.

Hearts Scottish Premiership form:


Hearts form (all competitions):


Celtic Scottish Premiership form:


Celtic form (all competitions):



Team News

Celtic's Jota celebrates scoring their first goal with Matt O'Riley on April 2, 2023© Reuters

Hearts currently have three players sidelined with knee injuries, with Beni Baningime, Liam Boyce and Craig Halkett set to miss the visit of Celtic.

Veteran goalkeeper Craig Gordon also remains sidelined due to a broken leg, while Gary Mackay-Steven will miss Sunday's clash with a foot injury.

Top scorer Lawrence Shankland will continue in attack, with Cameron Devlin and Peter Haring anchoring the midfield ahead of Toby Sibbick and Kye Rowles in central defence.

Celtic, on the other hand, look set to be without the injured pair of Liel Abada and James Forrest for the foreseeable future, while Alistair Johnston is also likely to be absent this weekend.

Daizen Maeda and Jota are expected to join Kyogo Furuhashi in the visitors' forward line, with Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Matt O'Riley lining up in midfield.

Joe Hart will retain his place between the sticks, while Anthony Ralston is favoured to replace the injured Johnston at right-back.

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Clark; Atkinson, Sibbick, Rowels, Cochrane; Devlin, Haring; Oda, Shankland, McKay; Ginnelly

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Jota, Furuhashi, Maeda


SM words green background

We say: Hearts 1-3 Celtic

Having hit Ross County for six last time out, Hearts should give Postecoglou's men a run for their money at Tynecastle, but the hosts are not expected to delay Celtic's title party this weekend.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data


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Written by
Ben Morris

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Game History

How you voted: Hearts vs Celtic

Hearts
6.1%
Draw
15.2%
Celtic
78.8%
33
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Celtic's Jota scores their first goal on April 30, 2023
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1715204844447
2RangersRangers17112429111835
3Aberdeen1810443125634
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd187742720728
5St Mirren198382630-427
6Motherwell188282331-826
7Hibernian195682631-521
8Kilmarnock195682335-1221
9Dundee185492733-619
10Ross County194691735-1818
11Hearts1944112129-816
12St Johnstone1942132236-1414


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