Celtic vs St Johnstone betting tips: Scottish Premiership preview, predictions and odds

Recommended bets

Celtic have won their last five meetings with St Johnstone, winning 20 of their last 23 encounters, drawing the other three. The Saints' last win at Parkhead came in 2015, visiting 12 times since.

Celtic to win and both teams to score NO is 8/15.

Celtic to win and over 2.5 goals is 8/13.

Georgios Giakoumakis is 3/1 to break the deadlock and 8/11 to add to his 11 goals in 2022.

Match preview

The Scottish Premiership title is now firmly in Celtic's hands after a momentous and season-defining derby day victory last weekend.

In their last outing, the Hoops faced second-placed Rangers at Ibrox in a match that was always going to have a huge baring on the title race.

In a frantic first seven minutes, the Gers took a very early lead, only for Tom Rogic to side-foot home an equaliser shortly after.

Then, just before the interval, the ball broke loose in the penalty area with Cameron Carter-Vickers smashing home the go-ahead goal.

In the second half, the visitors limited Rangers to very few clear-cut opportunities, seeing the game out for a 2-1 win.

That result means Ange Postecoglou's side are now unbeaten in 33 domestic games and have moved six points clear of their Old Firm rivals.

With Rangers not in action until Sunday, the Celts can go nine points clear, even if only temporarily, with just five games remaining after this weekend.

St Johnstone meanwhile were the big success story of last season, lifting both the League Cup and Scottish Cup.

However, right now, Callum Davidson's men are battling to ensure they'll be returning to Celtic Park for a league fixture next season.

The Saints currently occupy the relegation play-off spot and are six points clear of Dundee and six adrift safety.

They are though finding form at just the right time, beating Livingston 1-0 at McDiarmid Park last weekend thanks to Callum Hendry's penalty.

Having defeated Motherwell at home before the international break, the Saints have won back-to-back league games for the first time in 13 months.

Of course, they'll face five huge games after the split, but things are looking up for St Johnstone, despite them looking doomed not so long ago.

Here though, Celtic should go nine points clear at the top with a victory.

Celtic team news

Last weekend's derby win means centre-backs Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt still haven't lost a domestic game when starting together.

At the other end of the pitch, Kyōgo Furuhashi hasn't played at all since scoring at McDiarmid Park on Boxing Day.

There is hope he will feature before the end of the season but, for now, Georgios Giakoumakis will be looking to continue his hot streak.

Out-wide, Liel Abada could return in place of Daizen Maeda after he put in a massive shift at Ibrox.

Reo Hatate and Tom Rogic could continue in the attacking midfield roles, over Matt O'Riley and David Turnbull.

O'Riley only lasted 14 minutes last Sunday before having to come off again so might be a doubt for this one.

St Johnstone team news

The Saints' injury list may be shrinking but they're still without Craig Bryson, David Wotherspoon and Chris Kane.

Without Kane, Callum Hendry's partner up front could be Nadir Çiftçi who scored just four times for Celtic in 26 appearances.

Right-wing-back Shaun Rooney and goalkeeper Zander Clark will start after both endured recent spells out injured.

Scottish Premiership table:

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