Green Day at Paradise For Hoops & Hibs

Green Day at Paradise for Hoops & Hibs
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


Giorgos Giakoumakis struck the last minute winner against St Johnstone last weelend


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Saturday, 15 October 2022
15.00 BST

Celtic are back in League action this weekend, with the visit of capital side Hibernian to Parkhead, in what is the first meeting between these sides since February.

Both teams come into this match on the back of solid League form. Indeed, despite some rocky performances, the defending champions only blemish this season in the League thus far has been the 2-0 loss to St Mirren, last month.

Meanwhile Hibs come into this on the back of 4 wins in the past 5 games, but stumbled to a shock 1-0 defeat by Dundee United, earlier this week, and will be looking to prove a point in Glasgow.

Celtic's woes have come from not being able to capitalize on so many created opportunities in front of goal, and some ordinary defending when being hit on the counter by clinical and ruthless opponents has cost them dearly during this foray into the Champions League.

This has crept into the Bhoys' domestic showings also recently. In fact last weekend's game against St Johnstone required a late winner, courtesy of Gorgios Giakoumakis, to take all 3 points back from Perthshire, after once again having spurned far too many opportunities earlier in the game.

Meanwhile, the Edinburgh side will be looking for their first win at Parkhead since 2010, Celtic have remained undefeated by Hibs overall since December 2018 - although the visitors have caused plenty of headaches since then, with both sides having to settle for a share in the spoils 6 times in the last 11 League meetings.

Given the Hibees are currently sitting in 3rd and riding high on form, and a historic tendancy to make life difficult for the defending champions, in addition to Celtic's own recent struggles, the Hoops will need to be at the top of their game as they seek to stay clear of the chasing pack at the top of the League table.


Maeda scored on debut v Hibs in January

Just the Facts of the Stats​

• In the League this season, Celtic have a significantly better record in first half play, scoring 14 and conceding just 2, compared to Hibs' having scored just twice while allowing 6 against.
• However, while Celtic's record in the second half remains strong (F15 A3), Hibs record is a big improvement on first half efforts, scoring 10 and conceding just 2.
• Hibs have conceded a total of 4 'away' goals this season - 3 of which have come in the first 20 minutes of games - and have gone on to lose all 3 of those games.

Liel Abada is available for this weekend's match against Hibs after going off injured v RB Leipzig

Team News

The Celts will be without a slew of important personnel, including skipper Callum McGregor and fellow midfielder David Turnbull, defenders Carl Starfelt and Stephen Welsh and the talismanic winger Jota for tomorrow afternoon's clash.

However Postecoglou has confirmed that Israeli winger Liel Abada will be available for selection, which looked doubtful after being taken off with a 'deadleg' on Tuesday, but has since been able to return to training with the squad.

As for Hibs, they will be without defender Rocky Bushiri (ankle) and forward Kevin Nisbit (cruciate), in addition to back up goalkeeper Maciej Dabrowski.​

Referee: Steven McLean

This is McLean's 4th Premiership match of the season, with the experienced whistleblower having been in the middle of more than 220 Premiership matches since making his debut in May 2010.

He last officiated Celtic in the 9-0 win over Dundee United in August, while his most recent Hibs game was in the League Cup, back in July. McLean has previously taken charge of 32 Celtic games (W25 D3 L4) in all competitions, officiated Hibs 48 times (W18 D12 L17) - which is more than any other club, except for Aberdeen (55 times).



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 316 W: 181 D: 81 L: 54​

Last 5 Meetings
D W W W D

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~ ​

Overall
L W L W L ~ L W W W W

SPFL
W W L W W ~ L W W W W​