Celtic prepare for their first Scottish Premiership game of the calendar year as they take on Kilmarnock on Wednesday night.
The Hoops remain at the top of the table by a margin of two points. However, Rangers still have a game in hand over their city rivals. Neil Lennon’s side know there is no room for error during the second half of the season.
It will be interesting to see how the boss approaches this game. We saw a different shape and overall game-plan to the team when they faced Partick Thistle as they lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond.
Could he go with that again on Wednesday? Here is our Celtic Predicted XI.
GK: Fraser Forster
The loanee will be aiming to keep another clean sheet away from home. We predict him to retain his place in goal.
RB: Jeremie Frimpong
Frimpong, too, look to keep his place as the first-choice right-back. Elhamed is, of course, still out injured.
CB: Christopher Jullien
We don’t think he was at his best on Saturday against Partick. Jullien can do much better.
CB: Kristoffer Ajer
Returned to training, so he is once again available for selection. We reckon our defence needs every bit of quality it can get right now…
LB: Boli Bolingoli
Lennon may switch things up at the back and bring Bolingoli back into the mix. Taylor remains an option, but we don’t see him as the first choice.
CDM: Scott Brown (C)
The skipper knows there is no margin for error, particularly in away games such as Wednesday’s. We expect him to get the nod.
CM: Olivier Ntcham
Ntcham could slot in beside Brown centrally. In our opinion, his technique and vision of the game add a creative dynamic to our overall play.
CM: Callum McGregor
Got involved in the goals versus Partick, albeit via a deflected shot. We think he is a key player when it comes to unlocking opposition defences.
CAM: Tom Rogic
The Australian could potentially complete the midfield diamond, as he did on Saturday. He may slot in behind the strikers in a creative role.
ST: Leigh Griffiths
His goal against Partick may have brought him right back into contention. He may be granted another start as we look to bolster our attacking options.
ST: Odsonne Edouard
We think the Frenchman looked threatening up top at the weekend, despite not scoring. If anyone is going to pop up with a winner at Rugby Park, we expect it to be Edouard.