Scottish League
2009-12-20 - Hearts vs Celtic
A Sports Betting Pick by Stephen
Football: Scottish Premier League
Sunday 20th December 2009 - Kick Off 12.30pm
Hearts (8th) Home Record W2 D3 L2
Celtic (2nd) Away Record W5 D1 L2
Hearts face Celtic on Sunday with just 1 win in 9 SPL games they will be well and truly up against it against a Celtic side who have started to find their form in recent weeks. Hearts who finished third last season have struggled to score goals and managed only 3 league wins.
Last week they were probably fortunate to get a point against Dundee United who missed a second half penalty. Hearts were expected to challenge again for third spot and indeed get that bit closer to the old firm but its been rivals Hibernian and Dundee United who have pushed the old firm while Hearts now face a battle just to make the top six.
It only gets worse for Csaba Lazslo's side as he will be missing key players for Sundays clash. Marius Zaliuskas is back fit again after three months out with an ankle injury but probably wont be risked. Suso Santana and Ian Black miss out through suspension, Laryea Kingston misses out with a hamstring problem while Andrew Driver, Calum Elliot and Jamie Mcdonald all miss out through injury.
Celtic's form this season has been very mixed and they were largely disappointing in their European campaign. But in recent weeks they have begun to hit some form and their strikers have began to find the net as they have scored 11 goals in their last 4 games since the 2-1 defeat at Dundee United.
Celtic are also the SPL's top scorers away from home with 16 in 8 games. Marco Antoine Fortune has come in for some criticism this sesaon for his lack of goals and missed chances but the new signing has looked much sharper recently as he come off the bench to score a stunning winner at Motherwell last week and netted twice at Rapid Vienna in recent weeks.
Celtic's away record has been impressive in the SPL with just one defeat and 5 wins from their 8 games on the road. They will be very confident of victory against an out of form Hearts side.
HEARTS LAST 5
Hearts 0-0 Dundee United
Hamilton 2-1 Hearts
Kilmarnock 1-2 Hearts
Hearts 1-2 St Johnstone
Hearts 0-0 Hibernian
CELTIC LAST 5
Rapid Vienna 3-3 Celtic (Europa League)
Motherwell 2-3 Celtic
Celtic 3-0 Aberdeen
Celtic 3-1 St Mirren
Dundee United 2-1 Celtic
VERDICT
CELTIC at 4/6 should win this comfortably enough. Tynecastle usually provides a tough test for the old firm but Celtic are coming into good form while Hearts are very out of sorts and missing very key players for this game. Also consider CELTIC -1 at a generous 13/8 in Paddy Powers.
The Pick :
Hearts 0-2 Celtic or Hearts 1-3 Celtic
