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Scottish Premiership: Celtic to banish earlier Aberdeen defeat

| 31.10.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Lee Gormley | October 29, 2015

Celtic v Aberdeen

  • Scottish Premiership
  • Saturday, October 31st
  • Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
  • Celtic Park, Glasgow
  • Live on Sky Sports 2

Celtic host Aberdeen in top of table clash

Reigning Scottish Premiership champions and current league leaders Celtic will look to banish memories of that early season defeat to title rivals Aberdeen when they host their closest challengers again at Parkhead for a crucial encounter.

Soccer - Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Dundee United - Celtic Park

Ronny Deila’s Bhoys have endured a torrid time on their Europa League ventures this term, failing to live up to expectations set by past successful sides in their history, but they have once again begun to dominate domestically.

The Hoops are sitting comfortably at the summit with a four-point lead over next opponents Aberdeen, and are 2/1 with Coral to win on home soil with both teams scoring, while the Dons are 11/2 for a second successive fixture coup.

Aberdeen suffering blip

Before Derek McInnes’ men toppled the Bhoys at Pittodrie Stadium in September, Celtic had stamped down their superiority, winning the previous five meetings before that earlier loss this term.

Soccer - Europa League First Qualifying Round - Second Leg - Aberdeen v Shkendija - Pittodrie Stadium

Although, following a superb start to the campaign, the Dons have suffered a recent blip in their form, and are now without a win in five of their last outings in all competitions, including four successive defeats.

Rooney ready for Bhoys battle

Despite such a poor run, Aberdeen’s leading marksman Adam Rooney insists they hold no fear heading into Saturday’s trip to Glasgow, with the Republic of Ireland international call-up having struck seven times so far this season.

“Celtic is a massive game and they will be out to do us after we beat them the last time,” stated the Irishman, who is 11/4 to net anytime, having struck in the previous Bhoys victory.

“It gives us something to aim for. It’s still very early in the season. Everyone spoke to us about winning the title after six games but we said then it was too early for such talk.

“It’s exactly the same situation now so we just need to concentrate on what happens on Saturday to make sure we get a good result.

Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Group A - Celtic v Fenerbahce - Celtic Park

“It’s a tough place to go but it holds no fear for us going there. It can be an intimidating place for teams going to Parkhead but we have proved with some good performances against them in previous years we can do well.”

Hoops hold dangerous strikeforce

Celtic suffered their only defeat to Aberdeen so far this term, but since that loss they have four of their five games, an unbeaten streak which has set them up strongly at the table’s summit ahead of this Dons clash.

Leigh Griffiths has been in sublime form once again this season, with the Scotland international hitman having dispatched 12 times in all competitions, including two in as many matches during recent appearances.

The Scottish sharpshooter is 11/4 to open proceedings this time out, after doing so in his last two games against Dundee United and Hearts, while Kris Commons is evens to net anytime for his seventh season strike in this top of the table match-up.

Related

Read our Celtic archive.

Coral’s top tip: Leigh Griffiths is a great price to score first at 11/4.

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Author

Lee Gormley

Lee joined the Coral team in 2014 after studying at Leeds Trinity University, having moved across the water from Ireland, and has plenty of industry experience from his time with various news outlets in both England and Northern Ireland. After graduating with a BA Honours degree in Sports Journalism, he has since become an important member of the talented sports desk, passionately covering boxing, football and snooker, among many other sports. Lee is also a massive Manchester United and Republic of Ireland fan, but curbs any bias during his work, and outside of his job can be found regularly taking part in sport himself, such as boxing, GAA and football.