Preview: Celtic vs. Hamilton Academical - prediction, team news, lineups

Celtic head into their Scottish Premiership encounter with Hamilton Academical on Wednesday night hoping to end their run of four matches without a league victory.

Meanwhile, the Accies continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table and head to Celtic Park having lost each of their last nine visits away against the Hoops.

Match preview

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Neil Lennon insists that he will not quit his Celtic job after another draw against Livingston last Wednesday piled more pressure on the Scotsman.

The Hoops have failed to win any of their previous four matches, drawing their last three in succession and are now an enormous 23 points behind league leaders Rangers, although they do have three games in hand.

The last time they failed to register a win in five top-flight matches was back in September 1998, a record they will be keen to avoid.

Celtic do however have an impressive record against Hamilton, having won 26 of the 29 matches played against them in the Scottish Premiership.

The Hoops have already played the Accies twice this campaign, winning 5-1 on the opening day as well as a 3-0 triumph away from home on Boxing Day.

Another victory against Hamilton on Wednesday night would keep Celtic in second place but would only move them closer to Rangers if Steven Gerrard's side were to drop points against Hibernian.

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Hamilton were unable to move off the bottom of the table last weekend as they played out a goalless draw at home to Dundee United.

Manager Brian Rice was pleased to see improvements from his side defensively, however he wants more from his attacking players who are struggling to find the back of the net.

The Accies have scored in only one of their last six matches and Rice is now hoping to reinforce his frontline before the midnight transfer deadline on February 1.

Hamilton have struggled on the road against Celtic, conceding 29 goals against them in their last nine away games, shipping an average of 3.2 goals per game.

The Accies head into their game at Celtic Park having won only one of their last six league matches – drawing two and losing the other three – but a surprise victory on Wednesday could move them off the bottom of the table.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form: WWLDDD

Hamilton Academical Scottish Premiership form: LLDWLD

Team News

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Celtic's James Forrest (ankle) and Christopher Jullien (knee) both remain unavailable with injuries, while captain Scott Brown is suspended as he was shown a red card against Livingston.

Mohamed Elyounoussi, who scored against the Lions last week, is set to remain in attack with one of Leigh Griffiths, Odsonne Edouard or Albian Ajeti likely to start alongside him.

Hamilton's David Templeton (groin), Lewis Smith (hamstring) and Will Collar (knee) are all ruled out with injuries.

Striker Marios Ogkmpoe, who has recently recovered from a knee injury and came off the bench against Dundee United, could start the match on Wednesday night up front alongside David Moyo.

Celtic possible starting lineup: Barkas; Frimpong, Ajer, Bitton, Laxalt; Soro; McGregor, Turnbull, Christie; Elyounoussi, Ajeti

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup: Fulton; Hamilton, A. Martin, Easton; Hodson, Odoffin, Stirling, Callachan, McMann; Moyo, Ogkmpoe

We say: Celtic 4-1 Hamilton Academical

Celtic cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to close the gap to rivals Rangers. The Hoops will be determined to end their poor run of form and should win comfortably against the Accies on Wednesday night.

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