Celtic v Hibs
Football : Scottish Premier League
Saturday 29/10/2011 - Kickoff 15.00 (local)

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Celtic

Celtic will take great heart from another excellent 2nd half comeback performance in their midweek cup win over Hibs. This time they bagged 4 goals and I think showed the form that they are capable of and in truth tore apart a rather nieve Hibs formation.

James Forrest stole the show with a fantastic performanace and 2 very well taken goals but for me it was Ki in midfield that was the driving force behind the victory. Ki and Kayal make an excellent midfield partnership allowing Forrest to roam up the right wing and almost play as a 3rd striker at times.

It was no surprise that Celtic played their strongest team at Easter Road as every competition is vital in Scotland for the Old Firm teams, there is no playing the kids nonsense! I can see Neil Lennon picking the same team to play Hibs again although he does now have Charlie Mulgrew and Samaras availavble.

Glenn Loovens, Kris Commons, Emilio Izaguirre, Scott Brown, and Mo Bangura are all injured and out for this match

Possible Celtic lineup :
Forster, Matthews, Majstorovic, Rogne, Ledley, Wilson, Kayal, Ki, Forrest, Hooper, Stokes (4-4-2)

Hibernian

When I saw the team that Hibs were fielding on Wednesday in the cup I immediately searched for the best price on the over 2.5 goals as Calderwood, idiotically in my opinion, decided to play a 4-3-3 system which included basically 5 attacking players.

It was very hard to see how Hibs were going to cope in midfield and what if any protection they were going to give to their poor at best defence.

Must admit I was a little worried when Hibs went in 1-0 up at HT but I was provided right when in the space of 24mins in the 2nd half Celtic scored 4 goals. You have to think that they will be a lot more defensive minded at Celtic Park or I fear the same kind of result will happen.

Hibs are hoping that inform striker Gary O'Connor and captain Ian Murray can shake off knocks to make this game but loan signing Towell will be missed in defence as he is not allowed to play against his parent club.

Possible Hibs lineup :
Brown, Palsson, Hanlon, O'Hanlon, Murray, Osbourne, Wotherspoon, Sproule, Galbraith, Griffiths, O'Connor (4-4-2)

THE BETTING VERDICT

I think Celtic will win this match and I think the OVER 2.5 goals is nailed on again but the odds are way too skinny.

So, I'm going for a bet that is relying on the shaky Celtic defence to continue its ropey form. Celtic have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 6 matches and at times have looked a real shambles in defence with a few clanger mistakes suggesting a real problem and also a severe lack of confidence.

So a bet on both teams to score interests me, as when we look at Hibs record at Celtic park they have managed to score in their last 6 visits. I'm not concerned about Celtic scoring and have that down as a given as they have never failed to score in this fixture before.

If you like to name a goalscorer, consider Antony Stokes to score anytime at 1.91 (Victor Chandler). He is playing against his former club and has scored four goals in four appearances against Hibs.

The Pick :

Celtic 3-1 Hibs

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Celtic 80% - Draw 13% - Hibs 7%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Main Bet:
Take Both teams to score at odds of 2.2 (Coral)