Celtic
- Martin O’Neill has been in charge of Celtic since May 2026 and he appears to have reinvigorated this club with his intensity and tactical astuteness.
- Celtic have won 14, drawn one and lost only three of their 18 home matches, conceding just 14 goals.
- Celtic have won 4 consecutive home matches.
Hearts
- Hearts Of Midlothian FC are the new leaders of the Premiership - Championship Round 2026, having leapfrogged Celtic FC to the top of the table with 77 points from 36 matches.
- Hearts have won one and drawn two of their last three away games and are unbeaten on their travels.
- Barrie McKay’s trickery on the flanks and late surges into the area have given Hearts a sharp edge in transition while Lawrence Shankland is the talisman up top, having scored four of their last eight goals.
- Beni Baningime’s work rate and ability to win the ball in midfield are key to Hearts’ style of play and provide an outlet when they are under pressure.
Head-to-Head
- Celtic average 2.0 goals per game in their last 5 head-to-heads at Celtic Park against Hearts, who average 1.0 goal as visitors.
- Hearts can boast the superior record in the last three meetings between these clubs, having won two and drawn one.
- The last clash, at Celtic Park, ended 2-2 three months ago.
Celtic
- Matt O’Riley is a gem of a player who anchors the middle of the park with his incisive passing and late runs into the box while Daizen Maeda’s goal-scoring exploits have been spectacular.
- The Japanese star has scored five goals in his last three Premiership - Championship Round 2026 appearances and six of the Hoops’ last 11 goals.
- But it is Kyogo Furuhashi’s movement and link play that has provided the platform for Celtic to play a flowing 4-3-3 system with width and vertical transitions.
Hearts
- Barrie McKay’s trickery on the flanks and late surges into the area have given Hearts a sharp edge in transition while Lawrence Shankland is the talisman up top, having scored four of their last eight goals.
- Beni Baningime’s work rate and ability to win the ball in midfield are key to Hearts’ style of play and provide an outlet when they are under pressure.
Betting Insights
- Celtic are the clear favourites at _1.67_ to Hearts’ _4.62_, but Derek McInnes’ men have every chance of taking the points at Celtic Park in a game that should be a battle of wills and a chess match of different rhythms.
- We’re going to take the odds on over 2.5 goals at 1.63 because these clubs bring plenty of attacking firepower to this potential title decider.
