Celtic v Dundee United Match Preview

The Scottish Champions and league leaders Celtic take on Jim Goodwin Dundee United this evening at Celtic Park.

Celtic have nine victories and one defeat in their first 10 games this season, our joint second best start in the previous decade.

Dundee United come into this game after a very good start to the season currently sitting fourth in the SPFL on 15 points after 10 games after their 3-2 victory against Aberdeen. With the visitors also having one defeat in their last seven matches.

Dundee United also had a good record against the Scottish Champions last season with a 2-1 victory at Tannadice in December then a 2-0 win at Tannadice in March.

However the last time both teams played each other, Celtic came out victorious with a 4-0 score line, however that score-line flattered the visitors as the home team hit the woodwork five times.

Celtic will be hoping to extend their lead at the top of the table with rivals Rangers taking on third place Hearts with Dundee United hoping for a result the opposite way to close the gap on third place.

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill will be hoping the score-line will mirror Celtic’s last domestic game at Parkhead. He will be hoping for a quick start after falling behind inside the first three minutes against Hibernian at the weekend.

With the home team also being the top goal scoring home team with 13 goals at Paradise with eight of those goals coming in the first 45 minutes.

Celtic have also struggled with teams who play with a low block with only one goal victories against Falkirk at home, St Mirren, St Johnstone and Hibernian away, so there seems to be a clear path that Jim Goodwin team can follow to they want to take any points back home.

However Jim Goodwin as reported on Celtic Shorts earlier today has vowed to play an expansive game which should make it an open contest.

Dundee United have been clinical this season scoring 14 goals in 10 games with nine of those being from open play showing the diversity in how Dundee United score their goals with an expected XG of. 16.1 as-well which is 2.1 fewer goals than expected which the visitors will need to improve coming to the toughest game of the season.

As always the midfield battle with be crucial for Celtic with the midfield three of McGregor, Baur and Nygren having struggled at points this season.

With teams having marked Celtic captain Callum McGregor out of games which has resulted in a lack of creativity in Celtic’s midfield across this season. With the champions home record you would have them as favourites to keep the 3 points inside Celtic Park.