Ross County, aiming to extend their lead over the relegation zone, are set to face Scottish Premiership league leaders Celtic at the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are 10th in the table with 25 points from 22 games, while the visitors are at the top of the standings with 56 points from their first 21 matches of the season.
Match preview
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After finishing sixth in the Scottish Premiership in 2021-22, Ross County have struggled to reach those same heights in the following two and a half seasons.
The Staggies have dropped into the relegation battle in each of the last two campaigns, finishing 11th in 2022-23 and beating Partick Thistle in the relegation playoff, followed by another 11th-placed finish in 2023-24, where they overcame Raith Rovers in the relegation playoff.
Don Cowie would have been aiming to steer Ross County clear of competing in the relegation playoff for the third successive season heading into this term, but the Staggies are once again embroiled in the battle against the drop.
Ross County are 10th in the standings with 25 points from their 22 league fixtures, after six wins, seven draws and nine defeats, leaving them just two points ahead of 11th-placed Hearts.
However, a victory here could see Ross County jump into the top six depending on results elsewhere, with sixth-placed St Mirren leading the Staggies by only two points.
Ross County will be high on confidence heading into this one after winning three and drawing one of their last four outings, but they remain major underdogs against the league leaders.
Celtic have had a remarkable 2024-25 season to date, suffering just two defeats from their 31 matches played across all competitions, alongside five draws and 24 wins.
Those results leave the Bhoys sitting comfortably at the top of the Scottish Premiership table with 56 points from 21 games, holding a healthy 16-point lead over second-placed Rangers, though the Gers do have a game in hand.
Brendan Rodgers's side are also on course to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time since 2012-13, while they have also already claimed their first silverware of the campaign, beating rivals Rangers on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw in 120 minutes.
Their unbeaten run in domestic competitions, which spanned back to a 2-1 loss to Hearts in March 2024, was broken at the start of the month as they fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Rangers, but they have rebounded in superb fashion.
The Bhoys have beaten St Mirren 3-0 and Dundee United 2-0 in their last two outings, leaving them back in winning form, and they will be aiming to extend that streak and maintain their lead at the top of the table with another victory here.
Team News
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The hosts are expected to be without the services of Alex Samuel (thigh), Elijah Campbell (knee), Ross Laidlaw (knee), Ryan Leak (Achilles tendon) and Will Nightingale for this match due to injury.
Elsewhere, after defeating Kilmarnock 1-0 in their last outing, extending their unbeaten run to four matches, Cowie could opt to name the same starting team for this one.
As for the visitors, James Forrest (foot) and Odin Thiago Holm (calf) are both unavailable due to ongoing injury issues, though both are likely to return later this month.
After suffering a miserable Old Firm derby defeat, Celtic have won back-to-back matches with an aggregate score of 5-0, meaning Rodgers could field a similar team here.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Amissah; Wright, Lopata, Randall; Brown, Grieves, Kenneh, Nisbet, Harmon; Chilvers, White
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; McCowan, McGregor, Engels; Kuhn, Idah, Maeda
We say: Ross County 0-3 Celtic
Ross County may be enjoying a strong run of form heading into this game, but the visitors have been almost unstoppable in the league this season, and we expect them to secure a comfortable win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
