Preview: Celtic vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

Celtic will look to maintain their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership when they take on St Johnstone at Celtic Park this Saturday.

The hosts come into this one following a victory over Livingston, while St Johnstone travel to Glasgow off the back of recording an impressive win over Ross County.

Match preview

© Reuters

Celtic have been in excellent form in 2022-23 under Ange Postecoglou and sit first in the Premiership ranks while being nine points clear of rivals Rangers.

The Hoops have won 16 of their 17 league encounters so far, with their only dropped points coming in a 2-0 loss away to St Mirren in September.

Last time out, an own goal from Ayo Obileye and a strike from Kyogo Furuhashi was enough to grant Celtic a 2-1 victory at home to Livingston, despite a Nicky Devlin reply.

Celtic Park has been a happy hunting ground for Postecoglou since his appointment in June 2021, evidenced by the fact he is yet to lose at home in the Scottish Premiership since taking charge.

Moving ahead to Saturday, Celtic will look to continue on the right track, with a win guaranteed to keep them a minimum of nine points clear at the top of the table.

© Reuters

St Johnstone have also enjoyed a positive campaign with Callum Davidson at the helm and occupy fifth place in the Scottish Premiership heading into the weekend.

The Saints are unbeaten in their last six matches and have put themselves in a position to challenge for the European slots with their commendable results.

Outside of Celtic and Rangers, St Johnstone have the joint-highest number of points picked up away from home soil this campaign alongside Motherwell, with 13 points from nine matches.

In their last outing, St Johnstone managed to rally from a goal down to defeat Ross County 2-1 at the Global Energy Stadium courtesy of a double from Ali Crawford.

Should St Johnstone secure three points, they could move as high as third in the table if other results fall their way in the division.

Team News

© Reuters

Celtic could be without Anthony Ralston for the visit of St Johnstone due to the Scot being taken off in the win over Livingston with a knock.

Greg Taylor may be forced to shuffle over to right fullback, as Josip Juranovic has been allocated some time off following his exploits with Croatia at the World Cup.

James McCarthy is still out with a hamstring injury, while Stephen Welsh is absent from selection and is a couple of weeks away from a return.

On the other hand, visitors St Johnstone will have to do without striker Chris Kane, who is expected to be out until the New Year with a knee injury.

Defender Callum Booth is sidelined due to an Achilles tendon problem, while Murray Davidson will not participate due to rolling his ankle.

Adam Montgomery is ineligible to play against his parent club, potentially giving Connor McLennan the opportunity to start on the left flank.

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Taylor, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Bernabei; McGregor, O'Riley, Hatate; Abada, Jota, Furuhashi

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Parish; Brown, Gordon, Considine; Phillips; McLennan, Wotherspoon, Carey, Wright; May, Clark

We say: Celtic 2-1 St Johnstone

In a match with consequences on the top end of the table, we expect both sides to create plenty of chances as they look to continue their momentum.

On this occasion, Celtic will do enough to prevail and maintain their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.