Hibernian vs Celtic Predictions

• Hibs have lost three of their last five home games by margins of greater than one goal
• Celtic have won three of their last five away games by margins of greater than one goal
• Celtic’s Paulo Bernardo has scored three goals in his last six appearances and hit the crossbar on Saturday

Celtic will be wary of further slip-up

Celtic are coming under increasing pressure from Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but should be able to alleviate some of that with a comfortable win against Hibs on Wednesday.

After cutting the gap to three points at the weekend, Rangers could be level by the time Brendan Rodgers’ side kick off at Easter Road.  Celtic’s recent record at the Edinburgh venue, where the Hoops have prevailed only once in their last four visits, means Rodgers’ troops will be wary of a slip-up that could see them lose what little advantage they have left.

But Hibs are not in the kind of form to give Celtic another scare with Nick Montgomery’s men on a run of four defeats and two draws from their last six Premiership games. After Lawrence Shankland’s stoppage-time effort took the derby spoils in December, Hibs needed a 91st minute leveller to snatch a 2-2 home draw with Motherwell, before suffering subsequent 3-0 defeats to Rangers and St Mirren at Easter Road.

Bernardo can bag at Easter Road 

The nature of the goals they conceded against the Buddies on Saturday was alarming as the Hibs defence appeared to go missing every time the visitors put the ball into their box. Two of the goals were headers from set pieces or second phase play following one and the other a penalty after the eagle-eyed ref spotted a foul by Joe Newell.

Despite dropping points at Aberdeen on Saturday, Celtic have the quality to make Hibs pay here. Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo looks a threat as he tends to get into good positions in the opposition box.

He hit the woodwork in the 1-1 draw at Pittodrie and has scored in three of his last six games for the Hoops.