Kilmarnock vs Celtic Predictions & Tips - Hoops Backed to Claim Premiership Points
Celtic head to Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock in a match expected to deliver plenty of goals. Kilmarnock's defensive woes, shown in a recent 4-3 loss at St Johnstone, contrast sharply with Celtic's dominant head-to-head record and eight-game winning streak. Both teams often feature in high-scoring fixtures, with Celtic favored for another away triumph. Team news highlights possible Kilmarnock changes after defensive lapses, while Celtic are set to field a largely unchanged lineup. The prediction tips Celtic to win with at least three goals scored in a potentially entertaining contest.
- Kilmarnock host Premiership champions Celtic
- Celtic/Over 2.5 goals tipped at Rugby Park on Sunday
- Get our Kilmarnock vs Celtic tips for the Premiership contest
- Kilmarnock vs Celtic Predictions
- Hoops Backed at Rugby Park
- Celtic Dominate Head to Head Record
- Kilmarnock Lose Seven-Goal Thriller
- Celtic Make Winning Start at Parkhead
- Kilmarnock vs Celtic Team News
Kilmarnock vs Celtic Predictions
Celtic make the short trip to Rugby Park for a potentially entertaining Premiership contest against Kilmarnock on Sunday.
Killie struggled in last week’s defeat against St Johnstone, and another high-scoring defeat seems likely again on Sunday.
I have my stake on an away win with at least three goals scored.
Hoops Backed at Rugby Park
- Kilmarnock have seen over 2.5 goals in 7 of their last 8 matches (Premiership)
- Kilmarnock have seen over 2.5 goals in 7 of their last 8 matches against Celtic
- Celtic won their last 8 matches against Kilmarnock
- Celtic won their last 10 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Celtic have seen over 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 10 matches (competitive fixtures)
Celtic Dominate Head to Head Record
Kilmarnock and Celtic have met 80 times since 2003. Celtic won 64 games, while Killie claimed only seven victories. Nine matches finished deadlocked.
The champions are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Kilmarnock, winning each of their eight most recent encounters.
Celtic claimed four points from two visits to Rugby Park last season, including a dramatic 3-2 victory when the teams last met in Ayrshire six months ago.
Kilmarnock Lose Seven-Goal Thriller
Kilmarnock return to Rugby Park after kicking off their Premiership campaign with a dramatic 4-3 defeat against St Johnstone.
Neil McCann’s side recovered from Josh Fowler’s opener, with Greg Kiltie and Joe Hugill scoring either side of half-time before a Jason Holt own goal put Killie 3-2 ahead.
The Ayrshire side were unable to hold on, however, as Michael Schjonning-Larsen’s own goal and a late Kai Fotheringham strike secured a remarkable victory for the Saints in Perth.
St Johnstone proved worthy winners, with 15 goal attempts generating an xG of 2.03. In contrast, Killie mustered only seven attempts and finished with an xG of 0.92.
Last weekend’s defeat ended an eight-game unbeaten competitive run for McCann’s men.
Killie now face a significant step-up in quality against a Celtic side they have failed to beat since a 2-1 win in Ayrshire three years ago.
High-scoring outcomes have been frequent for Killie. McCann’s men have seen at least three goals scored in all but four of 17 Premiership fixtures since January.
Celtic Make Winning Start at Parkhead
Celtic began the defence of their Premiership title with a narrow 1-0 victory against Dundee at Celtic Park last Monday.
Martin O’Neill’s side struggled to get up to top speed before Kieran Tierney set up Benjamin Nygren’s superb second-half header at Parkhead.
New signing Kasper Hogh missed several opportunities on his competitive debut, while Viljami Sinisalo produced an excellent late save to ensure a winning start to the season for the Scottish champions.
The Hoops have now won eight consecutive Premiership fixtures, including four successive away victories at the end of last season.
While Celtic struggled to find their best form on Monday, the Glasgow giants are usually a solid choice for goal chasers. At least three goals were scored in 16 of their last 21 competitive fixtures since February.
Kilmarnock vs Celtic Team News
Kilmarnock: (4-4-2) Max Stryjek; Erik Ring, Ethan Schilte-Brown, George Stanger, Michael Schjonning-Larsen; Greg Kiltie, Aaron Tshibola, Tom Lowery, Nicky Clescenco; Joe Hugill, Tyreece John-Jules.
McCann could make some changes after watching his side concede four goals against St Johnstone. Mark O’Hara, Bailey Rice and Euan Bowie are pushing for recalls after substitute appearances last weekend.
Aaron Tshibola could drop out after his mistake led to St Johnstone’s opening goal.
Speaking after last weekend’s defeat in Perth, McCann admitted that he found little to enjoy about the seven-goal thriller at McDiarmid Park.
“I didn’t find it entertaining whatsoever. We got exactly what we deserved from the game—nothing.
“We can’t defend like that, can’t play like that and expect to win a game of football. That said, we’re 3-2 up.”
"I don't think our performance today merited anything. The Kilmarnock fans deserve much more today. We didn't start the game, and from the off they looked like they wanted to celebrate being back in the Premiership.
"The first time we played, we scored. I tried to adjust a few things at half-time, but it's one of those early games in the season when no one is at top gear, but we need to be miles better."
Robbie Deas missed the defeat at McDiarmid Park and remains a doubt for Sunday’s contest.
Celtic: (4-2-3-1) Viljami Sinisalo; Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney; Arne Engels, Callum McGregor; Camilo Duran, Benjamin Nygren, Hyun-jun Yang; Kasper Hogh.
Veteran boss O’Neill is set to miss the trip to BBSP Rugby Park after undergoing a minor hospital procedure earlier this week. Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham have overseen training during O’Neill’s absence.
The Hoops are likely to retain the majority of the team that started Monday’s victory against Dundee.
Liam Scales is suspended, while long-term absentee Jota remains unavailable because of injury.
Kasper Hogh should continue in attack despite missing several chances on his competitive debut.
Speaking after the narrow win against Dundee, O'Neill told BBC Scotland: "The most important thing is to win the game.
"We created a number of chances, but I didn't think we played particularly well. We could have played with more intensity - it was a typical opening game of the season.”
The veteran boss also revealed that he expects Callum McGregor to reject any offers to leave Celtic this summer.
“I hope (McGregor) is here until he’s 45. He had a conversation with the CEO, he’s got a couple of years to run (on his deal), he loves it and, to me, he’s potential managerial material.”
Verdict
Kilmarnock showed plenty of attacking threat at McDiarmid Park, but their defensive performance left much to be desired.
Considering recent results and past encounters, a high-scoring away win looks a likely outcome on Sunday.
I have my stake on Celtic to win with at least three goals scored.
Considering recent results and past encounters, a high-scoring away win looks a likely outcome on Sunday.
I have my stake on Celtic to win with at least three goals scored.
Celtic/Over 2.5 Goals
Result/Total Goals
@3/4 - 4 Units
£30 Free Bet
Use promo code NEWBONUS
Claim £30 free bet & 20 Free Spins. Use the promo code NEWBONUS. New Hollywoodbets account holders. 18 years or older. United Kingdom residents only. T&Cs apply.
Over 3.5 Goals
Total Goals
@11/10 - 2 Units
Bet £10 Get £30
with bonus code NEWBONUS
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply. The bonus code NEWBONUS can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. #ad
Celtic 3-1
Correct Score
@10/1 - 1 Unit
Bet £20 Get £10
Use promo code NEWBONUS
18+ New customers only. Bet £20 (or more) EVS (2.0) or greater Get 2 x £5 Free Bets. 1 x £5 Free Bet paid automatically & following £5 Free Bet after 24hrs. Min Free Bet odds 4/1 (5.0) on accumulators Trebles & upwards. Expires after 24hrs. Full T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
08 May 2026
- WNBA 2026 -
- Basketball
10 June 2026
- Volleyball Nations League 2026 -
- Volleyball
09 July 2026
- VCT 2026 China Stage 2 -
- Esports
Load More
Sports Tips Starts in
Today's Acca Tips
-
Soccer tips
-
Tennis tips
