Nine-time consecutive Scotland Premiership champions Celtic will look to extend their winning start to the new season when they travel to Rugby Park to take on Kilmarnock FC. The hosts started with a 2-1 loss to Hibernian, while Celtic were emphatic in their start of the season with a 5-1 win over Hamilton Academical.
The loss in the first round meant Kilmarnock have now lost four of their last five while drawing the other – going back to the previous season. In fact, Kilmarnock have lost 11 of their last 15 matches, winning three and drawing the remaining one match. Home record is slightly better, as Kilmarnock have avoided defeat in three of their last four Premiership home matches – winning two and drawing one. Going back a bit further, Kilmarnock have lost just three of their last 14 home matches in the top-flight. Crucially, the last five matches have seen both teams score and return over 2.5 goals which could be in play here.
Celtic started their title defence with a 5-1 thumping of Hamilton Academical. Although question marks hover around the future of their star forward Odsonne Edouard, Celtic would be keen to continue their good start. The win marked an 11th straight match that Celtic have gone unbeaten, winning ten and drawing once. Additionally, Celtic have scored 3+ goals in nine of those 11 matches highlighting the visitors’ penchant to score heavily. Furthermore, nine of Celtic’s last ten Premiership wins have come with a 2+ goal margin which remains in play for this match. Playing away from home, Celtic have remained unbeaten in their last ten Premiership matches winning nine and drawing one. Seven of those nine wins have come with a 2+ goal margin and Celtic would be keen to continue the same.
Celtic have had an upper hand over Kilmarnock in the recent years, winning the last six Premiership head-to-heads while scoring 16 goals and conceding four. The last three wins have come with an identical 3-1 score and it would be a big surprise if there isn’t a big win here. Kilmarnock were edged out in a narrow loss in their season opener. Whilst their overall head-to-head record has been poor, Kilmarnock have won two of their last four such matches at home. Coming to the picks, over 2.5 goals pick looks very enticing offered at above 1.50, while Celtic winning the game with a -1 handicap is equally enticing - offered at around 1.6.