Preview: Celtic vs. Dundee - prediction, team news, lineups

Celtic play host to Dundee on Wednesday night trailing leaders Rangers by two points in the Scottish Premiership standings.

Meanwhile, Dundee make the trip to Glasgow looking to avoid defeat, a result that would ensure that they remain in the top six.

Match preview

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Brendan Rodgers finds himself in an intriguing situation at Celtic, with the perception being that he is doing a poor job at the defending champions.

In all competitions, though, Celtic are unbeaten in 11 matches and have won nine of those fixtures, albeit several via late winning goals.

That was the case on Sunday as the Glasgow giants overturned a half-time deficit at Motherwell to run out 3-1 victors, scoring twice in added-on time.

Such heroics in the closing stages was the difference between trailing Rangers by two points, rather than four, and it keeps the pressure on their rivals when they have looked far more convincing than Celtic.

Although Celtic will welcome a return to familiar territory, they have dropped points in two of their last five league fixtures at Celtic Park.

From Dundee's perspective, they have been inconsistent throughout the 2023-24 campaign, never winning more than two games in a row all season.

Victories over St Johnstone and Ross County put them in a position where that streak could be ended when they faced Hibernian at Easter Road at the weekend.

However, despite getting back on level terms with 12 minutes remaining, Dundee subsequently conceded a second and went down by a 2-1 scoreline to their nearest rivals for sixth place.

Tony Docherty's side make the trip to Glasgow having already suffered two 3-0 defeats to Celtic earlier in the season - the most recent occurring on Boxing Day.

Team News

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Rodgers could make a number of changes to his Celtic XI and will likely hand a recall to Adam Idah after he again scored a last-gasp goal.

Cameron Carter-Vickers came through half-an-hour on his return from injury versus Motherwell, while Yang Hyun-jun and Luis Palma are both pushing for a return in the final third.

Maik Nawrocki, Nicolas Kuhn and Kyogo Furuhashi are all at risk of dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Alterations are also expected to be made by Dundee boss Docherty, with Ricki Lamie and Michael Mellon both in contention for recalls after their half-time introductions against Hibs.

Curtis Main may also make his second start since joining the club, yet Docherty will not overly tinker with a side that had previously won two games in a row.

Celtic possible starting lineup: Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; O'Riley, Iwata, McGregor; Yang, Idah, Maeda

Dundee possible starting lineup: Carson; McGhee, Shaughnessy, Donnelly, Beck; Cameron, Sylla, McCowan; Main, Mellon, Tiffoney

We say: Celtic 2-0 Dundee

The short turnaround for Celtic and emotions that came from the last game can, in theory, only benefit Dundee heading into this contest. Nevertheless, Rodgers has the ability to rotate his squad should he so wish, and we expect a professional performance and win for the home side.

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