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Celtic will seek to maintain their unbeaten record in the Scottish Premiership this Saturday as they welcome Kilmarnock, who currently occupy the eighth spot and are only avoiding relegation on goal difference, intensifying the stakes for this match.
Celtic has enjoyed a strong start to the new season, aiming to preserve their undefeated status while widening their lead at the top of the league table. The reigning SPL champions have built a four-point cushion over their closest competitors, St Mirren, showcasing both impressive attacking and defensive capabilities.
In terms of goal-scoring, no team in the division has outperformed the Hoops, and they have conceded just four goals in their first seven matches, displaying a remarkable balance. Nevertheless, Brendan Rogers will need to motivate his team after a recent defeat in the Champions League against Lazio. Despite Kyogo Furuhashi giving Celtic a 12-minute lead, they couldn't hold on and succumbed to a frustrating 2-1 loss after conceding in the 95th minute.
While Kilmarnock currently resides lower in the league standings, they have demonstrated their ability to upset top teams, as seen in their victory against Rangers on the opening day of the season and their surprising Scottish League Cup win against Celtic, thanks to a Marley.
In their last 91 games versus Kilmarnock, Celtic has 70 victories, 8 losses, and 13 ties.Their most recent encounter occurred in August 2023, when Kilmarnock shocked Celtic at home with a 1-0 victory to knock them out of the Scottish League Cup.Kilmarnock has lost three games, drawn three, and lost none of their previous six games across all competitions.Celtic has scored at least three goals in four of its last five games overall.Goals at both ends have been scored in five of Kilmarnock's last six games across all competitions.Since January 2021, Celtic has gone 47 games without losing at home in the league (40 victories).
Celtic and Kilmarnock are set to compete for three points in a Scottish Premiership matchday eight encounter this Saturday.
The home team enters this match following a 2-1 loss on their home ground to Lazio in the UEFA Champions League during the midweek. They initially took the lead with Kyogo Furuhashi's goal in the 12th minute, but Matias Vecino equalized for the Italians shortly before the half-hour mark. Pedro came off the bench to score a dramatic winner for Biancocelesti deep into injury time.
Celtic will now shift their focus back to domestic competition, having secured a thrilling 2-1 away victory over Motherwell in their last league game.
In contrast, Kilmarnock had to settle for a 1-1 draw against St. Mirren in their recent home match. Bradley Lyons put them in the lead in the 19th minute, but Kyle McGennis' own goal leveled the game just past the hour mark.
As a result of this draw, Kilmarnock currently occupies the eighth position in the league table with seven points from their first eight games. Celtic still maintains a four-point lead at the top of the standings.
In August, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers experienced his first-ever cup setback when his team fell to Kille at Rugby Park by a score of 1-0.
However, the Hoops have recovered admirably, gaining 13 of the past 15 Scottish Premiership points available, including their most recent ferocious 2-1 victory at Motherwell.
Having said that, Celtic might feel a bit depressed going into this match after Pedro's injury-time header gave Lazio a 2-1 victory at Parkhead on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
