Preview: Celtic vs. Dundee United (A)

Celtic are still unbeaten this season in all competitions heading into Saturday’s early kick-off. Dundee United, on the other hand, have registered just one win and one draw heading into the clash at Tannadice.

Celtic (Form: WWWDWW)

With little rest after Wednesday night’s first-leg clash against Malmo, manager Ronny Deila is likely to rotate his squad with Tuesday night’s crucial second-leg tie in Sweden to think about.

The Hoops got the job done on the night and are just 90 minutes from returning to the Champions League group stages but will have to be cautious at Malmo.

Celtic have been largely uncontested so far in the league and the root they are the root cause of their own problems – especially defensively. Last time out they fired four past an Inverness CT side that was touted to be organised and rigid in defence. Two goals late on in their own net is a concern for Celtic that needs addressing.

Dundee United (Form: LLLWDL)

Dundee United just four points in four games this season heading into Saturday’s clash at Tannadice.

Manager Jackie McNamara has come under fire on social after last weekends 4-0 hammering at the hands of Hamilton and will be hoping to capitalise on a possible European hangover for Celtic.

The Dons opened the league season with a 1-0 loss to Aberdeen but bounced back the following week beating Motherwell 2-0. A 2-2 draw in the first Dundee derby of the season followed by a 4-0 thumping away to Hamilton leaves them lying seventh in the early stages of the season

Team news

Mikael Lustig is out after the hamstring injury he sustained on Wednesday night and Ronny Deila is expected to rest other key players so they are ready for Tuesday’s decider against Malmo for one of the 32 places in the Champions league group stage. This will also give fringe players an opportunity to impress the Norwegian for the games ahead. Scott Allan could get his first start in a Celtic shirt as a result of their European ambitions.

Former Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci will miss out on a return to his old side as he is serving the fifth of a six-game domestic ban for an incident in the Dundee derby at the end of last season.

Meanwhile, Dundee United will be hoping to have their own striker Mario Bilate available again after he missed the last two weeks with a minor hamstring injury. The Russian will need to pass a late fitness test to have any chance of starting tomorrow.

Midfielder Paul Paton, who has been out of action since April in a win over Hamilton, is still sidelined having undergone knee surgery. He was expected to be ready for the start of the season after recovering over the summer, however, a further setback has halted his return.

Midfielder Ryan Dow has an outside chance of returning from a hamstring injury to feature for Dundee United against Premiership champions Celtic. Midfielder Rodney Sneijder (virus) and defender Callum Morris (thigh) are still sidelined.

Head to head

Celtic have scored 10 goals in the last three meetings and conceded none.

The last time Celtic lost was back in December 2014 in a 2-1 defeat, with the two goal scorers on the day (Ciftci and Armstrong) now in Celtic’s ranks.

Towards the end of last season, the two sides faced each other four times in less than two weeks. Six red cards were handed out during the first three meetings in the Scottish Cup and League Cup matches.

Prediction: Celtic 2-0 Dundee United