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

After facing Rangers last weekend, Kilmarnock's task does not get any easier with a home encounter against Scottish champions Celtic awaiting them on Sunday.

The hosts have taken one point from their opening two league games, while Celtic have begun the defence of their Scottish Premier League title with consecutive victories.

Match preview

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After winning promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking, Kilmarnock would have been hoping that the fixture list would be kind to them.

However, after facing Rangers in the second game of the season, Killie face another tough test this weekend against defending champions Celtic.

Kilmarnock began their Scottish Premiership campaign with a 1-1 draw against Dundee United after Ash Taylor scored in stoppage time to cancel out Dylan Levitt's opener.

They would have been hopeful of claiming another point last weekend after playing out a goalless first half against Rangers, but strikes from Antonio Colak and Alfredo Morelos condemned Derek McInnes's side to a 2-0 defeat.

Despite only taking a point from their opening two matches, Kilmarnock will be aware that they have their work cut out to claim their first win on Sunday against a Celtic side they have not beaten in the last nine league meetings.

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While Kilmarnock are searching for their first win of the Scottish Premiership season, Celtic are looking to record a third consecutive victory.

Goals from Stephen Welsh and Jota guided Celtic to a 2-0 victory on the opening weekend of the season before a couple of late goals helped them beat Ross County last weekend.

The Hoops looked set to drop points against Ross County after Kyogo Furuhashi saw his opener cancelled out by Iacovitti, but an 84th-minute effort from Moritz Lenz was followed by Liel Abada's stoppage-time strike to wrap up a 3-1 win for Ange Postecoglu's side.

Rangers are the only other side than the Hoops who have won their opening two matches, while victory over Ross County also extended Celtic's unbeaten league run to 34 matches.

They will be confident of extending their undefeated streak against Kilmarnock after winning eight of the last nine league games against Sunday's opponents.

Team News

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Kilmarnock are expected to be without the services of Blair Alston, Zach Hemming and Scott Robinson, who are all sidelined with injury issues.

McInnes is expected to persist with a back three featuring Joe Wright, Jeriel Dorsett and Ash Taylor, while in the final third, Kyle Lafferty is set to lead the line.

There could be a change in midfield, with Liam Polworth in contention to replace Liam Donelly after appearing as a second-half substitute against Rangers.

As for Celtic, they are expected to be without the services of Reo Hatate who missed last weekend's win after being forced off in the opening game of the season with a muscle injury.

Carl Starfelt returned from a hamstring injury to take his place among the substitutes against Ross County, and he will have to settle for a place on the bench once again for Sunday's contest.

After coming off the bench to score last time out, Abada could be given a place in the starting lineup, which could see Daizen Maeda drop out of the side.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

Walker; Wright, Dorsett, Taylor; Alebiosu, Power, Polworth; McKenzie, Shaw, Lafferty

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Hart; Juranovic, Jenz, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Turnbull; Abada, Jota, Furuhashi

We say: Kilmarnock 1-3 Celtic

Celtic usually fare well against Kilmarnock, and we think that the Scottish champions will cruise past the newly-promoted side to begin the season with three consecutive victories.

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