Celtic vs Kilmarnock Predictions

• Celtic have kept clean sheets in five of their nine league wins
• Kilmarnock have failed to score in each of their last seven Scottish Premiership defeats
• Killie have lost four of their last five league games and each of those defeats ended 1-0

Celtic should have enough to grind out victory

Celtic have handed Rangers the initiative in the Scottish Premiership title race as a result of winning only one of their last five games, but they can get back on track at home to Kilmarnock.

In fact, the Bhoys have won only three of their last 13 games in all competitions but they stopped the rot with a 3-2 home victory over Lille in the Europa League in midweek.

Neil Lennon made a number of changes for that game – David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro were particularly impressive – and their positive performance may see him stick with some of those players again.

However, whatever team Lennon selects should be too strong for a Kilmarnock side that have lost on their last four trips to Celtic Park.

The pair played out a 1-1 draw at Rugby Park in August but Celtic dominated with 70 per cent possession, winning the shot count 17-6, and Killie scored with their only effort on goal.

Kilmarnock have lost four of their last five league games 1-0, which includes on their trips to St Johnstone and Hamilton.

A shot-shy Killie have failed to score in each of their last seven Scottish Premiership defeats and may fire another blank at Celtic, who have kept clean sheets in five of their nine league wins.

With a confidence-starved Celtic in need of victory, this could be a tense affair. We predict the hosts to win 1-0 – Killie have lost four of their last five league games by that margin.