Kilmarnock vs Celtic: Lineups, Predictions, and Team News Preview
On Sunday, Kilmarnock will face Celtic in an important Scottish Premiership clash. Kilmarnock currently sits 11th in the league with 20 points from 26 matches, while Celtic is in third place with 51 points from 25 games.
Match Preview: Kilmarnock vs Celtic
Kilmarnock started their season positively, securing four wins and five draws in their first nine matches. However, their form significantly declined afterward, culminating in a challenging 17-game winless streak across all competitions. This poor run included 13 losses and four draws.
Stuart Kettlewell, the previous manager, was dismissed during this period. Neil McCann took the reins and has experienced a slight revival, winning two of his last three matches. Notably, Kilmarnock recently triumphed against Aberdeen with a score of 3-0 and edged out St Mirren 4-3. They now aim to move closer to safety in the league standings.
Celtic’s Resurgence Under O’Neill
Celtic enters this match as the favorite. Since Martin O’Neill returned as interim manager in October 2025, the team has orchestrated an impressive turnaround. O’Neill recorded seven wins and only one loss in his first eight matches.
Despite the challenges faced under former manager Wilfried Nancy, O’Neill’s reappointment has proven effective. Since his return, Celtic has accumulated seven wins and two draws across all competitions, including four victories and a draw in their last five league matches.
League Standings and Current Form
| Team | Position | Points | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilmarnock | 11th | 20 | D L L W W |
| Celtic | 3rd | 51 | L W W D W |
With Celtic only six points behind league leaders Hearts and possessing a game in hand, a win in this match could significantly tighten the title race.
Team News
- Kilmarnock: Missing Djenairo Daniels, Kyle Magennis, and Matthew Kennedy due to injuries.
- Celtic: Without Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, and Jota because of fitness issues.
McCann may include hat-trick hero Tyreece John-Jules in the starting lineup, while Celtic could feature Reo Hatate in the midfield.
Predictions
Despite Kilmarnock’s recent victories, Celtic’s strong form under O’Neill suggests they will likely secure all three points. The anticipated outcome is a narrow victory for Celtic, with a predicted score of Kilmarnock 1, Celtic 2.
For more detailed analysis and predictions on this match, visit Filmogaz.com.
