Scottish Premiership champions Celtic will make their first away trip of the 2022-23 campaign to the Global Energy Stadium to face Ross County on Saturday.
The Hoops claimed maximum points in their opening game against Aberdeen, while the Staggies were condemned to defeat away at Hearts.
Match preview
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Ross County headed into their opening league fixture at Hearts in high spirits after claiming victory in each of their four Scottish League Cup group-stage matches earlier in July.
The Staggies beat Buckie Thistle, Dunfermline and Alloa Athletic before securing an emphatic 7-0 win at home to East Fife, a result which helped to book their place in the next round as group winners.
However, Malky Mackay's side were brought back down to earth at Tynecastle as they were beaten 2-1 away at Hearts last weekend.
Jordan White came off the bench to pull a goal back in the final 10 minutes after Alan Forrest and Barrie McKay had put the hosts two goals in front, but the visitors were unable to score an equaliser.
Ross County, who finished sixth in the Premiership last season, may struggle to return to winning ways on Saturday as they have won only one of their last 27 top-flight matches against reigning champions Celtic.
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After enjoying an unbeaten pre-season over the summer, winning three and drawing three of their six friendlies, Celtic kicked off the new campaign with a routine 2-0 victory at home to Aberdeen last weekend.
In front of a party atmosphere at Celtic Park, Stephen Welsh headed the Hoops in front after just three minutes, before Jota – who joined the club permanently over the summer – added a second in the 75th minute with a brilliant 25-yard strike into the top-left corner.
Celtic Park was a fortress last season as the Hoops went through the entire 2021-22 campaign unbeaten on home soil, but Ange Postecoglou's side dropped points in six league games on the road and will be keen to avoid another slip-up on Saturday.
Since suffering a 1-0 defeat in Dingwall against Ross County in February last year, Celtic have won each of their last four meetings against them, scoring at least twice on each occasion.
Postecoglou is sure to use this encounter as preparation for another trip to the Global Energy Stadium later this month, when both sides lock horns in the Scottish League Cup.
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Team News
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Ross County attacker William Akio remains sidelined with a knee injury, but otherwise, Mackay has a fully-fit squad to choose from this weekend.
A back four of Connor Randall, Jack Baldwin, Alex Iacovitti and Ben Purrington is set to remain intact, shielding goalkeeper Ross Laidlaw.
After beginning as a substitute last weekend, Jordan White will be hoping to force his way into the first XI ahead of Jordy Hiwula, while Yan Dhanda will be pushing to start ahead of Dominic Samuel.
As for Celtic, centre-back Carl Starfelt is closing in on a return to full fitness after sustaining a hamstring injury last month, although he is unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting lineup on Saturday.
Postecoglou said that Reo Hatate came off in the win over Aberdeen with "a couple of hard knocks" and the Japanese midfielder is set to be assessed ahead of kickoff to see if he can feature against the Staggies.
Giorgos Giakoumakis, David Turnbull, Liel Abada and summer signing Aaron Mooy all began on the bench last time out and will be hoping to earn a place in the first XI this weekend.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall, Baldwin, Iacovitti, Purrington; Callachan, Tillson; Sims, Dhanda, Edwards; Hiwula
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Juranovic, Carter-Vickers, Welsh, Taylor; McGregor, O'Riley; Jota, Turnbull, Abada; Furuhashi
We say: Ross County 0-2 Celtic
Ross County and Celtic head into Saturday's game off the back of contrasting league results last weekend, and the Hoops will be the strong favourites to claim maximum points in Dingwall.
Celtic have plenty of firepower at their disposal and we expect them to score at least a couple of goals to help maintain their 100% start to the new season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
