Celts Set Sights on Seven Straight

Celts Set Sights on Seven Straight
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


The Bhoys celebrate Kyogo's decisive late go-ahead goal that proved critical at the weekend


Fir Park, Motherwell
Wednesday, 9 November 2022
19.45 GMT

The Hoops travel through to Fir Park tomorrow night, seven points clear at th top of the table and targeting a seventh straight win to maintain their firm grip on the League when they take on Motherwell for the third time in six weeks.

At the start of October, the Hoops survived a few nervy moments before eventually claiming all 3 points, with a narrow 2-1 success. A few weeks later the Bhoys travelled to Lanarkshire, turning in a far more convincing 4-0 performance in the League Cup Quarter-Final.

Now with just 2 games to be played before the domestic scene is shut down for the World Cup, Ange Postecoglou and his team will be keen to complete a trio of victories over the Steelmen.


October: Matt O'Riley in action when these sides last met in the 4-0 League Cup Quarter-Final win​

Motherwell are coming into this match on the back of a see-sawing encounter against 10-man Hearts, fighting back after being 2-0 down, only to succumb to an 89th minute penalty as the Tynecastle side came out on top, 3-2.

That result is, in many ways, emblematic of tomorrow's hosts current form, picking up wins over Ross County and Dundee United, while otherwise going down in a series of narrow losses since the end of August.

Despite the fact that they have not won at home since the end of August, Steven Hammell will be determined to try and defy the Hoops from completing the trifecta of wins on Wednesday.

Just the Facts of the Stats​

• The Bhoys have won the last 14 consecutive meetings between these sides.

• The Hoops have been undefeated by Motherwell since December 2015 - and not since April 2013 at Fir Park.

• Celtic have managed to record just 3 clean sheets in the past 16 games in all competitons.

• Motherwell are yet to score a single first half goal at home in the League this season.

• The Lanarkshire outfit are looking for their first League win at home in 5 games.

Liel Abada's sublime chipped goal completed the late dramatics in the 4-2 win over United

Team News

The Bhoys will continue to be without Callum McGregor, however Carl Starfelt is once again in contention. Elsewhere, fellow defender Moritz Jenz is one booking away from picking up an automatic suspension.

Meanwhile, Steven Hammell's side will be without Joseph Efford, who has been ruled out until after the new year. Rolando Aarons (hamstring) and Nathan McGinley (groin) will also be sidelined in addition to the continued absence of Jake Carroll, who is still undergoing rehab followomg knee surgery, back in August.

Referee: Willie Collum

With no fewer that 337 Premiership games to his name, the 43yr old is one of the most experienced active referees in the Scottish game. This will be the 3rd time officiating Celtic this season, following the 4-1 League Cup victory over Ross County and most recently, the 3-0 League win against Livingston.

Celtic's 0verall Record in Games Officiated by Collum
M84 W62 D12 L10

VAR: David Dickinson



~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P: 221 W: 132 D: 53 L: 36​

Last 5 Meetings
W W W W W

~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~ ​

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

SPFL
W W W W W ~ L W L L L​