Preview:Celtic vs Livingston - prediction, team news, lineups

Celtic will aim to extend their flawless start to the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season when they take on newly-promoted Livingston on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts are targeting a fifth straight league title this season, while the visitors will be focused on steering clear of a relegation fight.

Match preview

Celtic have lifted each of the last four Scottish Premiership titles, having last missed out as they placed second in 2020-21, when Rangers stopped them from securing a record 10th consecutive crown.

Brendan Rodgers will be aiming to further extend their dominance over Scottish football in 2025-26, and Celtic have made a strong start to the term as they look to defend their champion status.

The Bhoys narrowly defeated St Mirren 1-0 in their opening fixture, with Luke McCowan scoring an 87th-minute winner, followed by a comfortable 2-0 win over Aberdeen on matchday two, leaving Celtic as the only team yet to concede in the league.

Their clean sheet run across all competitions did end in the Scottish League Cup, though they recorded a superb 4-1 win over Falkirk, and while it did return with a shutout against Kairat Almaty, the Bhoys failed to extend their winning run.

An underwhelming performance in the Champions League playoff qualifying round saw the match ultimately end in a 0-0 draw, sparking criticism from Celtic fans towards the board due to their lack of summer signings and perceived ambition.

While the mood around the club may have soured following that result, the Bhoys will still be eager to maintain their flawless start in the league, and Celtic have every reason to be confident.

The visitors may have also enjoyed a strong start to the campaign, drawing one and winning one of their two league fixtures, but the newly-promoted Livingston are certainly underdogs in terms of quality compared to Saturday's hosts.

Livingston, who gained their promotion back to the top flight by winning the Championship playoffs last term, came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Kilmarnock on the opening day, followed by a 3-1 win over fellow promoted side Falkirk.

However, David Martindale's side were reminded of the quality of the top teams in the second round of the Scottish League Cup, which they reached after placing second in Group H, as Hibernian comfortably won 2-0.

Despite the defeat and being underdogs heading into Saturday's fixture, Martindale will be hopeful of his side pulling off a shock result on Saturday to extend their unbeaten start in the league.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

W W

Celtic form (all competitions):

D W W W

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

W D

Livingston form (all competitions):

L W D W W L

Team News

Jota will be unavailable for the hosts due to a cruciate ligament injury that is expected to keep the winger out of action until the turn of the year, while Alistair Johnston is anticipated to face a spell on the sidelines due to a suspected hamstring injury.

The right-back was stretchered off in the first half of Celtic's drab draw with Kairat Almaty, meaning Anthony Ralston is likely to step into the starting team for the foreseeable future.

Further up the pitch, Adam Idah could drop out of the starting 11 after a lacklustre performance in that draw, with Yang Hyun-jun, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest making up the front three.

As for the visitors, Livingston are likely to be without Aidan Denholm, Cameron Kerr and Danny Wilson due to ongoing injury problems.

Adam Montgomery is also unavailable for the visitors due to being on loan from Celtic, meaning Daniel Finlayson could start in the back four.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Nygren, McGregor, Hatate; Forrest, Maeda, Yang

Livingston possible starting lineup:

Prior; Finlayson, McGowan, Blaney, Lawal; Pittman, Tait, Sylla; Smith, Muirhead, Winter

We say: Celtic 3-0 Livingston

Celtic fans may be frustrated with the perceived lack of ambition from their club, but the Bhoys have built the strongest squad in Scotland by a considerable distance, and they will be expected to comfortably dispatch Livingston on Saturday.

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