90min
·22 December 2024
90min
·22 December 2024
Celtic will need to put their controversial Scottish League Cup final victory to one side on Sunday when they visit Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.
Brendan Rodgers' side beat Old Firm rivals Rangers in a penalty shootout to win their first piece of silverware for the season at Hampden Park, with the Scottish Premiership title likely to follow come the end of the campaign providing they avoid a capitulation.
The Bhoys have won 14 and drawn one of their 15 league matches to date and have conceded just four times, with another convincing victory expected on Sunday. While Dundee United have enjoyed a strong first half of the season, they are 19 points behind Celtic having played a game more, such is the gulf in quality between the teams.
Here is 90min's guide to Celtic's trip to Tannadice.
Jim Goodwin's side will be up against it on Sunday / Ian MacNicol/GettyImages
Dundee United are without a smattering of first-team players for Celtic's visit on Sunday but Jim Goodwin has the majority of his squad at his disposal. Craig Sibbald, Louis Moult and Kristijan Trapanovski will all miss out due to injury.
Ross Graham has returned to the bench in recent weeks following a hamstring injury and could feature from the start on Sunday. Defender Will Ferry is also available having missed the recent 4-3 defeat to Motherwell through suspension.
Dundee United predicted lineup vs Celtic (3-5-2): Walton; Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt; Strain, Stephenson, Sevelj, Babunski, Ferry; Dalby, Middleton.
James Forrest will miss out / Justin Setterfield/GettyImages
Celtic didn't come through the Scottish League Cup final unscathed, with record-equalling James Forrest now missing for six weeks following an injury sustained against Rangers. Alistair Johnston is also a major doubt after being withdrawn in the final after 70 minutes.
Odin Thiago Holm has rarely featured for Celtic this season but is currently sidelined with a calf injury. The Norwegian won't return until the new year.
The Hoops were put to the test physically last weekend after playing 120 minutes but have had a week to recover. They're unlikely to make sweeping changes for the trip to Dundee.
Celtic predicted lineup vs Dundee United (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Ralston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Furuhashi, Maeda.
Dundee United have impressed since their return to the top flight but are unlikely to earn any rewards from Celtic's visit to Tannadice. They have one of the better defensive records in the Premiership but are yet to face a team of the Bhoys' calibre.
Celtic have won all but one game in the league this season and will have no qualms heading to Tannadice. They are in strong attacking form and are averaging a little under three goals per game at present.