Bhoys’ Home Battle United

Bhoys’ Home Battle United
~~~~~~~~~~ Official TC Match Preview ~~~~~~~~~~


December: Daizen Maeda in action against United when these sides played out a goalless draw


Celtic Park, Glasgow
Wednesday, 8 January 2025
19.45 GMT

The busy schedule continues tomorrow evening when the Hoops host Dundee United, urgently sitting in 3rd, as the Bhoys look to take another step closer toward the Premiership title.

With Celtic able to secure a comfortable 3-0 victory over St Mirren at the weekend, which moved them 13 points clear at the top of the table, they will know a similar result against United will extend that gap even further, to 16 points - for 24 hours at least.

That said, Brendan Rodgers will need to find a way to ensure that his side are able to do what they failed to just a few weeks ago, when these two teams last met, which resulted in a goalless draw at Tannadice, just before Christmas.


Austin Trusty scored his first Celtic goal in the 3-0 win against St Mirren at the weekend

United have been one of the real surprise packets of the season since winning promotion back to the top flight back in May. Since then Jim Goodwin has guided his side up the table, and despite the loss to Hearts on Sunday, the Tannadice side currently find themselves sitting in third place on the Premiership ladder, and can boast the second best ‘Away’ record behind only the Hoops.

There is no real mystery how this has been achieved. The visitors are a highly organised and determined defensive unit, who have looked to stay in games for long periods, before then look to take advantage after the interval. This is born out by their goal scoring statistics this season, where they have scored 23 of their 30 goals overall, all coming after the halftime break.


Striker Sam Dalby has scored 10 goals in the past 14 appearances for Dundee United

By the Numbers​

• Celtic are undefeated in all games against United since December 2014.

• The Hoops are undefeated at Paradise against all opposition since December 2023 - including having won their past 6 league 'home' games by an aggregate of 21-0.

• United are a strong 2nd half team, having scored 23 of their goals 30 overall after the HT interval - and 14 of those 23 after the 75 minute mark.

Kasper Schmeichel has kept a clean sheet in each of his past 6 Premiership games at Celtic Park

Team New

Brendan Rodgers will be once again without the services of veteran winger James Forrest, but otherwise has close to a full squad to select from, with rotation likely the main motivator in any changes made to the starting XI.

As for Jim Goodwin's side, they are expected to be once again without Louis Moult (shoulder) and Craig Sibbald (groin), but otherwise he has an unchanged squad available, as there were no new injury concerns reported following the 1-0 loss to Hearts.​

Referee: Kevin Clancy​

Since his Premiership debut in April 2012, Clancy has taken charge of more than 220 matches at this level. This will be the 4th time this season that Clancy will take charge of a game involving Celtic, the most recent being the 6-0 League Cup Semi-Final win over Aberdeen.

Celtic's Overall Record
M:58 W:43 D:8 L:7

VAR: Steven McLean​

~~~~ Head to Head ~~~~

Overall
P:222 W:131 D:55 L:36

Last 5 Meetings
D W W W D

~~~~ 2024/25 Form ~~~~ ​

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

SPFL
W L W W D ~ L W W W D​