Predicted XI: Celtic v Livingston (H)
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The Hoops are preparing for their third league game in a week as they take on Livingston at Celtic Park this Saturday.
Neil Lennon’s side edged out as 2-1 winners against St. Mirren in a rather uninspiring night in Paisley on Wednesday. The Buddies took the lead inside three minutes, though headers from Shane Duffy and James Forrest completed the comeback.
The boss made four changes to the side who battered Ross County 5-0, a decision that may have affected the overall performance.
Though rotation is necessary, given the champions have four games to play within a fortnight this month.
Livi are next up, and they’re not in very good shape. They’ve won one of their opening seven league games, placing them 11th in the table and level on points with Motherwell.
Gary Holt’s men suffered a disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Hamilton Accies last weekend.
Celtic will be glad this match isn’t on Livi’s astroturf pitch; their recent record there isn’t exactly clinical.
Lennon is likely to rotate once more, bringing certain players back into the starting XI while benching others who didn’t impress on Wednesday.
Here is how we think the Hoops will lineup.
GK: Vasilis Barkas
Will retain the number one spot as he continues to settle in.
CB: Christopher Jullien
Was one of the players benched midweek, but he’ll likely come back into the starting mix.
CB: Shane Duffy
Headed in his second goal on appearance number two for the Hoops. Still adjusting to the back-three.
CB: Nir Bitton
Will Lennon rotate at the back once more? If he does, Ajer could be the man who makes way for Bitton – who has recently returned from injury.
RWB: Jeremie Frimpong
Celtic missed his energy and creative spark from the start on Wednesday. Should be a regular on that right hand-side.
LWB: James Forrest
His well-timed header proved to be the match winner in Paisley; credit where it’s due. However, that aside, he can contribute to far more overall in a game.
Elyounoussi will be hungry for game-time, but Lennon is likely to stick with his man (at the expense of Greg Taylor, who was poor on Wednesday).
CM: Scott Brown (C)
Continued his lacklustre start to the season. Maybe it’s time for Lennon to start managing his game-time?
CM: Olivier Ntcham
It would be good to see the Frenchman come back into the mix. Competition for a starting place in central midfield is healthy, so who does Lennon drop?
I’m an admirer of Callum McGregor, but perhaps resting him and trying out another midfield trio would be interesting to see.
CAM: Ryan Christie
Assisted both goals on Wednesday; we can’t undervalue his contribution to the team. Overhit a few of his crosses and isn’t afraid to have a shot from far out, which is a good dynamic to have.
ST: Odsonne Edouard
A poor performance in Paisley from the Frenchman. Didn’t take his penalty well and struggled to create chances; a bad day at the office.
ST: Albian Ajeti
Unfortunately for Klimala, things didn’t quite click for him midweek. He tried to get involved but nothing fell to him.
The Eddy-Ajeti partnership seems much more threatening from kick-off; I expect the Swiss to come back in.
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