Hearts v Celtic betting tips: Hoops vulnerable to Hearts attack

Preview and odds for Saturday’s Scottish Premiership match

Ange Postecoglou’s men begin their quest to wrest the Scottish Premiership title from bitter rivals Rangers as we look at some potential Hearts v Celtic betting tips.

Hearts were a little unfortunate not to beat Celtic in the 2019-20 Scottish Cup final last December and will bid to avenge that loss.

The game takes place at Tynecastle on Saturday and is live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 3pm.

Hearts v Celtic match odds

Hearts return to the top flight and will feel they are catching Celtic at a good time.

Last season’s runaway Scottish Championship winners are 19/4 to open the Premiership campaign with a victory.

Hearts have had a good pre-season. Robbie Neilson’s new 3-4-3 system was implemented with some success during the League Cup group stages, with the Jambos winning all four games and not conceding a single goal.

They are 9/2 to keep a clean sheet against Celtic.

Hearts missed out on a seeded spot in the last 16 and will now face a trip to Celtic Park in two weeks’ time.

Since returning to the top flight, the Jambos have added one player to last season’s squad with the loan signing of Alex Cochrane from Brighton.

They hope to bring in a new signing before the weekend, with Everton midfielder Beni Baningime the player in question.

Celtic have had a tough week. Sandwiched between an ultimately unsuccessful two-legged Champions League qualifier with Midtjylland, the Hoops suffered a chastising 6-2 friendly reverse at home to West Ham.

Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie netted at the beginning of each half but the floodgates opened at the other end with alarming ease.

Following Kristoffer Ajer’s departure to Brentford and Carl Starfelt’s quarantine, Postecoglou’s defensive options are sparse.

Celtic, who finished 25 points behind Rangers last season, are 3/5 to make a winning start in the Hearts v Celtic betting tips.

Hearts v Celtic head-to-head

The last time these two sides met, Celtic completed a historic quadruple treble with a dramatic penalty shootout win to lift the Scottish Cup for a 40th time.

It was Hearts’ ninth consecutive defeat by the Glasgow side.

No less than 20 of the last 23 meetings have seen three or more goals scored in total and it is 4/5 that this trend will continue.

Hearts v Celtic team news

For the first time in a long time, it’s a Celtic midfield that won’t feature Scott Brown and the side will no doubt miss his bite in the engine room.

Captaincy successor Callum McGregor will likely line up alongside David Turnbull and maybe Ismaila Soro in the middle of the park against Hearts, who are 9/1 to win but concede.

Hearts v Celtic key battles

A lack of available signings, coupled with injuries and suspensions and form that hasn’t exactly been red-hot, have many predicting a tough season ahead for Celtic, who are 23/10 to win but concede.

The Hearts v Celtic betting tips believe the hosts will hope to take advantage of a very inexperienced defence.

While Nir Bitton is 29, Greg Taylor is 23 with Anthony Ralston (22), Stephen Welsh (21) and Dane Murray the youngest at 18.

The experience of Liam Boyce and Gary Mackay-Steven, who have both been among the goals already this season for Hearts, could give the visitors a long night.

Celtic are 6/5 to keep a clean sheet and 11/1 to win 3-1.

View the latest Scottish Premiership odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication