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Hoops Head Home to Face Lions

Discussion in 'TalkCeltic News' started by Taz, Jan 31, 2023.

By Taz on Jan 31, 2023 at 11:06 AM
  1. Taz Blind Justice Gold Member News Writer

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    Hoops Head Home to Face Lions
    ~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~

    [​IMG]
    Jota's finishing touch opened the scoring against United on Sunday

    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
    Celtic Park, Glasgow
    Sunday, 1 February 2023
    19.45 GMT

    The Hoops return to Parkhead this week as they continue in the quest for the League title, with the visit or Livingston the opposition on Wednesday.

    Ange Postecogloou's Bhoys restored the 9 point gap at the top of the table with the 2-0 win over United on Sunday, and while the Hoops will be full of confidence going into this game nothing can be taken for granted over an opponent who has all too often been a thorn in Celtic's side since their return to the Premiership in 2018.

    Coming into this, the Bhoys have won the last 3 meetings between these sides - whih is the only time that has happened since Livi's return to the top flight, and a 4th win tomorrow night will be the first time that has happened since the days of Gordon Strachan.



    [​IMG]
    Aaron Mooy dispatches the spotkick to make it 2-0 v Dundee United

    And while Celtic have won every game at Parkhead this season, David Martindale's side will be coming into this in a run of form that has seen them go undefeated over the past 6 games since Christmas, taking 9 points from the last 5 league matches.

    And the West Lothian side are aiming to keep that run going as they look to chhallenge Hearts' grip on 3rd, trailing the Edinburgh club by 7 points - although the Lions do have a game in hand, after the two sides played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

    [​IMG]
    December: Kyogo fires home in the 2-1 win when these sides last met

    By the Numbers

    • Celtic have won every domestic game they have played at Paradise this season - and are undefeated at home against all domestic opposition since January 2021.
    • The Hoops have kept clean sheets in 6 of the past 7 games across all competitions - including the last 5 on the trot.
    • The Hoops are after their 4th consecutive win over Livingston. If they do, it will be the first time since Gordon Strachan was manager of Celtic.
    • The visitors have conceded twice as many goals in the 2nd Half of league games this season, having given up just 10 before the break and 20 after it.
    • At this point in the 2021/2 campaign, Livingston had 26 points from 23 games and this season they are already on 32 points from one less match played.
    [​IMG]

    Team News

    The Hoops' boss is likely to make a couple of tweaks to the Bhoys' starting XI for this match after just 3 days turnaround, and with so many options to select from and make sure that the standards are maintained.

    And with transfer deadline day being what it is there is always the possibility of some additional alterations to the squad, although as Postecoglou admitted recently, it's more likely to be a few outgoings than incomings, with potentially some of the fringe squad players departing, before the window closes at 23.59 tonight.

    This is true of Livingston also, who are likely to field much the same side that drew with Hearts at the weekend, with really the only question being if Jack Fitzwater is still at the club by the time tomorrow rolls around, as speculation continues to swirl about the 25 year old defender's future.​

    Referee: Nick Walsh

    Walsh made his top-flight debut in April 2016 and has since taken charge of 129 Premiership games, including 13 this season. Celtic have won all 4 previous games this seaosn when Walsh has been the whistleblower - most recently in the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock in January.

    Celtic's Overall Record
    M: 26 W: 21 D: 4 L: 1

    VAR: Colin Steven


    [​IMG]

    [​IMG] ~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~ [​IMG]

    Overall
    P: 32 W: 23 D: 7 L: 2

    Last 5 Meetings
    W W W D L

    [​IMG] ~~~~ 2022/23 Form ~~~~[​IMG]

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

    SPFL
    W W W D W ~ D W W D D
     
    The Prof and tarboltontim like this.