Killie on a hiding to nothing
PA PhotosCeltic spanked Kilmarnock 6-0 at Rugby Park in their last meeting and more goals should be expected this timeAfter Celtic's last gasp defeat to Barcelona on Tuesday night, the Parkhead side will be looking to get back to winning ways, in an emphatic way at that. Sadly for Kilmarnock, they are on a hiding to nothing.
Celtic have a number of players out injured, most notably Georgios Samaras - who limped off during the first half of Celtic's defeat to Barcelona, after scoring the opening goal - with an ankle injury, as well as youngster Dylan McGeouch and striker Lassad.
However, the Hoops proved on Tuesday night that they can defend against the best and they threatened at times. Despite the rhetoric from boss Kenny Shiels, Killie - who have been out of sorts this season - will have to try hard to counter Celtic on the break.
Celtic will have enough in the tank and ample reserves to fall back on to, though and should hit Killie for six despite their midweek exertions.
For the most part, picking the team is quite easy nowadays, as Neil Lennon has ditched the tactic of wholesale changes and stuck with a regular side week in week out.
In goal, as per usual, is Fraser Forster, who was immense against Barcelona. He will have a much easier ride of it against Kilmarnock.
Adam Matthews and Emilio Izaguirre will fill the full-back positions, while Kelvin Wilson and Efe Ambrose will renew their partnership in the heart of defence.
In midfield, Scott Brown is still recovering from injury and should be rested for the game. which would allow Charlie Mulgrew, Joe Ledley, Victor Wanyama and Kris Commons to battle for control of midfield. While Gary Hooper should be partnered with the latest young prospect coming out of Lennoxtown, Tony Watt.
In the opening exchanges, Celtic will in all likelihood take a while the get into the game but once they find their stride then Killie should be pegged back in their own half.
Prediction for the match? Obviously a Celtic victory, it's just a matter of how many goals go in. In all honesty, I can see Celtic putting the Rugby Park side to the sword in emphatic style. So I'm going for a 4-0 victory. Hooper to score twice, Watt to bag himself another goal and Kris Commons to get on the scoresheet also.
Celtic (from): Forster, Matthews, Lustig, Wilson, Ambrose, Mulgrew, Izaguirre, Brown, Ledley, Kayal, Forrest, Commons, Wanyama, McCourt, Miku, Watt, Zaluska, Chalmers.
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