Heart Of Midlothian FC vs Celtic Prediction & Betting Tips - Scottish Premiership

Prediction published on 01/03/2024, 07:30  by Ian John | Modified on 02/03/2024 at 23:00 in Football Predictions

Despite a 5-0 thrashing at Rangers, followed by a 1-1 draw in the Edinburgh derby with Hibs in midweek, Hearts remain a distant third in the Premiership table, 16 points behind Celtic in second but 12 points ahead of Kilmarnock in fourth. Robbie Neilson's team seem to have third spot locked up already, but games such as this against the top two could well play a big role in deciding the eventual destination of the league title. Prior to the loss against Rangers, Hearts had won eight games in a row and were unbeaten in 12 games. If anything, the point earned in midweek against Hibs thanks to Lawrence Shankland's penalty just on half time, will have helped steady the ship after that uncharacteristic thrashing at Ibrox. 

Having scored just 10 goals in thir previous six games, winning four and drawing two, Celtic found their shooting boots in midweek when they smashed Dundee for 7 goals, earning a 7-1 win which saw six goals scored in the first half and seven different Celtic players get on the scoresheet. The win keeps Celtic two points behind Rangers at the top of the Premiership, but the +6 goal difference in that game means that Celtic are now just one goal worse off than Rangers in the title race. The Celts have won on all of their last five visits to Tynecastle, scoring 15 goals in the process conceding just five in return. Their last away match against the Jam Tarts saw the Hoops earn a 4-1 win back in October, but their most recent game came at Celtic Park where Hearts gained revenge for that loss, inflicting a rare defeat on Celtic with a 2-0 win.