/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F08%2Fkilmarnock-vs-celtic-prediction-1.jpg)
Kilmarnock will take on Celtic on Sunday, 9 August, as the Scottish Premiership rolls into its second weekend of the season.
After narrowly winning their opening match of the season against Dundee on Monday, Celtic will be looking to kick on here, while Kilmarnock are on the hunt for their first win of the season after their defeat to St. Johnstone.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic key stats
- Celtic have won each of their last eight matches against Kilmarnock.
- Kilmarnock come into the match on the back of two consecutive defeats.
- Fewer than three goals have been scored in four of Kilmarnock's five competitive matches this season.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic preview: Visitors to win without their boss
Kilmarnock vs Celtic — Tale of the Tape
| Kilmarnock | vs | Celtic |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | Position | 5th |
| 0 | Points | 3 |
| 3 | Goals For | 1 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
Celtic's preparations for this match have been far from ideal, after manager Martin O'Neill underwent surgery in hospital.
It is still unclear as to whether the 74-year-old will be well enough to be in the dugout on Sunday afternoon, but if he isn't, then Shaun Maloney will take the reigns in what could be a preview for next season.
Both O'Neill and Maloney will expect more from their players this weekend. While they had enough chances to score more than once against Dundee on Monday, they also conceded 11 shots and three on target.
On another day, Celtic could have dropped points against the Dark Blues, but as it is they come into the second weekend with a two-point lead over Rangers already.
On Sunday, Celtic are set to be without Liam Scales due to suspension, and Jota and Johnny Kenny through injury.
As for Kilmarnock, last weekend's defeat to St. Johnstone was a little out of left field as they had enjoyed a summer of positive pre-season and League Cup results.
Losing to a newly promoted side isn't how anybody wants to start the season and with Celtic to come on Sunday, they are facing the very realistic scenario of having zero points from two matches.
What will have surprised Neil McCann the most about the defeat will have been the manner of it. Killie have built a reputation of being a tough team to break down and are yet to concede a goal in four League Cup matches this season. So, conceding four to St. Johnstone will certainly have been a shock to the system.
In terms of team selection, McCann is without Tyreece John-Jules, after the forward was forced off against St. Johnstone.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic form guide & betting tips
| Kilmarnock | vs | Celtic |
|---|---|---|
WWWLL |
Form | DLDDW |
| N/A | Points | |
| N/A | Form Table | N/A |
| N/A | Goals For | N/A |
| N/A | Goals Against | N/A |
L |
Form (Scotish Premiership) | W |
Whispers predicts: Kilmarnock 0-2 Celtic
Celtic's recent record against Kilmarnock is too hard to ignore, and we are expecting the Bhoys to win relatively comfortably. Celtic to win has been best priced at 2/5.
Fewer than three goals have been scored in three of Celtic's last five matches. Under 2.5 goals has been priced at 17/10.
Camilo Duran has scored three pre-season goals for Celtic this summer. Duran to score anytime has been priced at 4/5.
> Celtic to win at 2/5 (1.40) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 17/10 (2.70) | Likelihood: Probable
> Duran to score anytime at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Possible