MATCH RESCHEDULED: ‘New’ kick-off time for St Johnstone vs. Celtic – prediction, team news, lineups
St Johnstone and Celtic, two teams at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership table, will come together on Sunday afternoon at McDiarmid Park.
The hosts are at the foot of the table and trail safety by six points, while the visitors are top of the standings with a 13 point lead.
Match preview
St Johnstone have been drawn into the relegation battle over the past seasons, having to defeat Caley Thistle in the relegation playoff in 2021-22, while they placed ninth in 2022-23 and 10th in 2023-24.
The Saints are once again staring down the barrel of relegation this season, as they sit at the foot of the Scottish Premiership table with just 26 points from 31 games, after seven wins, five draws and 19 defeats.
Those results leave St Johnstone trailing 10th-placed Kilmarnock by six points, but a recent upturn in form has seen them climb closer to the teams above them, having secured three wins, two draws and suffered only three losses in their last eight league games.
Simo Valakari, who took charge after Craig Levein’s dismissal, will be aiming to continue that positive momentum into the post-split campaign, where five additional matches after the final two regular league fixtures will offer a crucial chance to secure survival.
However, the Saints will face a tough challenge maintaining that momentum on Sunday when they take on Celtic, undeniably the standout performers of the Scottish Premiership season.
The visitors have all-but confirmed their status as Scottish Premiership champions, sitting at the top of the table with a significant 13 point lead over second-placed Rangers.
Brendan Rodgers’s men have won 25, drawn three and lost three of their 31 league fixtures – leaving them with 78 points – while they have scored a phenomenal 92 goals and conceded just 20 times.
They head into this clash having won four of their last five matches across all competitions – losing the remaining match to Rangers – while also boasting an impressive record against St Johnstone, with 27 wins and four draws in their last 31 encounters.
St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:
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St Johnstone form (all competitions):
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Celtic Scottish Premiership form:
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Celtic form (all competitions):
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Team News
The hosts will be without the services of Bozo Mikulic, who is out for the rest of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury, while Uche Ikpeazu and Sam McClelland are also ruled out for this one.
Makenzie Kirk has been a key part of St Johnstone’s survival hopes, with the striker netting seven goals this term, and with two in his last four league matches, he is expected to lead the line here.
As for Celtic, Kasper Schmeichel remains a doubt after picking up an injury on international duty with Denmark, meaning Viljami Sinisalo – who made his league debut last time out – is expected to keep his place in goal.
Liam Scales is also unlikely to feature in this matchup as the defender remains sidelined due to a head injury, meaning Cameron Carter-Vickers and Maik Nawrocki should continue in central defence.
Following the 3-0 victory against Hearts last weekend, Rodgers could name a similar midfield and attack, including Daizen Maeda at striker after scoring twice in that match.
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Fisher; Duke-McKenna, Balodis, Mitchell, Douglas, Wright; Holt, Sprangler, Svedberg; Griffith, Kirk
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Sinisalo; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Nawrocki, Schlupp; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Maeda, Jota
We say: St Johnstone 0-3 Celtic
Celtic have been enjoying a superb 2024-25 season, while the Saints have struggled and sit at the foot of the table, leading us to expect a comfortable away victory.
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