IT WOULD be naive to think the two Glasgow clubs aren’t the titans of Scottish football. It’s been nearly 40 years since Aberdeen broke this duopoly, and it looks like it won’t change anytime soon. With that said, there’s still plenty of quality within this cluster of teams, and plenty of potential banana skins are in there – particularly on the road.
Although the Celts and Rangers are the two outstanding favourites to win the league outright, the bookmakers offer plenty of markets for Scottish football. The joining offer from William Hill covers the outright markets and other betting options in the SPL – and with the next run of fixtures for The Hoops, we’ll see how they’ll fair going into the crunch games in this period of the season where games carry that extra bit of importance.
Nine Points From The Next Three Games?
Aberdeen
Traditionally, Hibs and Aberdeen have been potentially tricky games. The return fixture at Celtic Park in November saw Aberdeen collapse as they conceded four goals in the last fifteen minutes in a complete thrashing. Although they haven’t beaten Celtic in the league since April 2021, the 1-0 result at Pittodrie was a shock; The Celts had essentially mathematically finished second – there wasn’t much to play for. Given that Aberdeen has only won 9 of their last 85 games against Celtic, it’s clear why the bookies have them as firm favourites.
Hibernian
With two away games in quick succession, Hibernian have thrown a spanner in the works before, but their recent drubbing at the hands of Rangers, who were missing key players, bodes well for the Hoops. Although Hibs do have it in them to cause a shock, and they beat Celtic 4-2 last season, the league was already wrapped up at that stage, and even with a few sore heads, the Celts had more shots and possession – it could have easily been a different story. You’d expect a championship-chasing side to beat Aberdeen and Hibs, and last season’s game shouldn’t be too much of a factor – out of their next three, it could be the cup game against St. Mirren that poses that stiffest challenge.
Kilmarnock
With 56 wins in their last 71 games against Kilmarnock, the Hoops will be confident, and if they’re able to keep their 100% record on the road against Aberdeen and Hibs, they’ll come back to Celtic Park rejuvenated and ready to push on toward their 54th league title. Kilmarnock might be quietly confident given their form this year, but the bookies have Celtic as solid favourites against Kilmarnock.
Still, as the match gets closer, and any potential injuries or suspensions on either side shape the starting eleven going into the game, we’ll better understand what the bookies think. However, if historical and current forms are anything to go off, it should be three points for Celtic. This is despite Kilmarnock’s strong form this season and their surprise 2-1 victory earlier this season at their ground.
A Brief Summary
At this stage of the season, it looks like it’s the Celts’ title to lose. We don’t want to speak too soon or put a hex on it, but with Rangers’ welcome injury crisis, and a string of very winnable fixtures coming up for the Hoops, they’re definitely in the driving seat. While historical form and head-to-head aren’t always the best measuring tools, the form and quality at Celtic Park at the moment should hopefully be the deciding factor; if we can steer clear of injuries and suspensions, then 54 is en route.
