Celtic return to Premiership action needing a response after a heart-breaking defeat to Rangers, a result that dented confidence and increased pressure in the title race. As this has to go down as a must-win situation for the Hoops, we predict that they will defeat Dundee United 3-1. Despite the setback, there are no fresh injury worries, and Martin O’Neill’s side should still feel optimistic at home, where they average 3.00 total goals per match and score 1.20 goals per game. Their defensive issues remain a concern, however, with Celtic conceding 1.80 goals per home fixture and keeping just 20% clean sheets at Celtic Park.Dundee United travel to Glasgow with selection problems of their own, as both Pappoe and Strain remain sidelined after missing the recent 1-0 loss to Dundee FC. The visitors have been competitive on the road, collecting 1.25 points per game away and scoring 1.25 goals per match, while posting a 75% BTTS rate in away fixtures. Still, their record against Celtic is poor, winning only 2 of the last 32 meetings, with the Hoops taking 24 victories in that span.
