Celtic will be welcoming Hearts on Thursday in their latest league fixture when they collide in the Scotish Premiership title race.
Both teams head into the game on the back of victories in the weekend, with this match giving chance to Hearts to displace Celtic from the second place.
Celtic added on to their unbeaten run in the Premiership to eight games in the weekend when they managed to defeat Aberdeen in a 2-1 victory.
Jota gave Celtic the lead before Lewis Ferguson responded from the penalty spot, then a second-half goal from Callum McGregor secured the three points.
That was an impressive way for the club to respond after losing in the Europa League last week by Bayer Leverkusen.
However, that defeat was their first in 11 games, displaying the high level of consistency that Celtic have been providing of late, the reason as to why they are just four points behind Rangers in the league table.
They now have the chance to place some distance between them and Hearts as a victory would really separate the pack, ensuring they are the main challenge to Rangers.
Hearts will not let it go easily though, which they proved on the opening day of the season when they last encountered with Celtic in the league.
The Jam Tarts took all the three points in that fixture after a 2-1 win, although they left it late in order to secure the result with an 89th-minute goal from John Souttar giving them the victory.
They got themselves back to winning at the weekend following a loss to Motherwell when they defeated St. Mirren.
Currently, they are just two points behind Celticand they will be keen not to allow Celtic to extend that gap as Neilson tries to keep his team involved in the title race.
Celtic vs Hearts head to head
The two Scottish outfits have previously had 109 encounters, where Celtic have won 74 and Hearts 19, having 16 draws. Celtic have scored 241 goals and conceded 95. In their last five meetings, Celtic have won three, they have drawn one and Hearts have won one.
Hearts 0-2 Celtic 18/12/19
Celtic 5-0 Hearts 12/02/20
Celtic 3-3 Hearts 20/12/20
Hearts 2-1 Celtic 31/07/21
Celtic 3-2 Hearts 15/08/21
Celtic latest home form
Celtic are currently in good form at home, as they have lost just one game in their last ten matches. In their last five matches, they have won four and drawn one across all competitions. They have scored 7 goals and conceded just one, collecting 13 points.
Celtic 2-0 Ferencvaros 19/10/21
Celtic 2-0 St. Johnstone 23/10/21
Celtic 0-0 Livingstone 30/10/21
Celtic 1-0 St. Johnstone 20/11/21
Celtic 2-1 Aberdeen 28/11/21
Celtic latest away form
Despite losing their last away match to Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League, the Hoops had gone for five matches unbeaten in all competitions. They had won 3-2 over Ferencvaros in the Europa League prior to the loss. In their last five away, they have won four and lost just one.
Motherwell 0-2 Celtic 16/10/21
Hibernian 1-3 Celtic 27/10/21
Ferencvaros 2-3 Celtic 04/11/21
Dundee 2-4 Celtic 07/11/21
Bayer Leverkusen 3-2 Celtic 25/11/21
Hearts latest home form
Hearts are currently in good form at home, having not lost in their last nine matches across all competitions. In their last five matches at home, they have won four and drawn one. In the five they have scored 13 goals and conceded just three pocketing 13.
Hearts 3-0 Livingston 25/09/21
Hearts 2-0 Motherwell 02/10/21
Hearts 1-1 Dundee 23/10/21
Hearts 5-2 Dundee United 06/11/21
Hearts 2-0 St. Mirren 27/11/21
Hearts latest away form
The Jam Tarts are currently on the downturn of form having lost their last two consecutive fixtures, on the back of two draws. In their last ten away matches, they have won just four across all competitions. in the last five, they have drawn three and lost two.
Ross County 2-2 Hearts 18/09/21
Rangers 1-1 Hearts 16/10/21
St. Johnstone 1-1 Hearts 27/10/21
Aberdeen 2-1 Hearts 30/10/21
Motherwell 2-0 Hearts 20/11/21
Celtic news
Celtic are in good form when it comes to squad fitness with Nir Bitton and Tom Rogic being back and available for the team. Greg Taylor and Carl Starfelt are also making a comeback from their respective injuries as well, but Thursday’s fixture could be too soon for them to feature.
Hearts news
Robbie Neilson is confident that Beni Baningime will be available for Hearts in the midweek. Liam Boyce has also been able to make a comeback recently, which provides a huge attacking threat heading into this match, which is needed against a team with the best defensive record in the league.
Prediction and Odds
This match is seemingly a closely contested one between two teams on the top side of the table in the Premiership.
However, Celtic head into this encounter with slightly more confidence, especially in scoring and that could provide the power needed to take all the three points on the home turf.
Odds: 1 1.42 X 3.01 1 3.97
Probable outcomes
Celtic 3-2 Hearts
Celtic 3-1 Hearts
Celtic 2-2 Hearts
Celtic 2-1 Hearts
Celtic 1-2 Hearts
