Celtic go into Sunday’s trip to Tynecastle five points behind Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership. They are still odds-on favourites at 2/7 to win the title, but defeat to the current leaders would change that picture. Hearts, priced at 5/2, have won five games in a row, keeping a clean sheet in the last four of those triumphs.
The Bhoys’ recent form has been concerning. The 2-0 reverse at Dundee last weekend came despite an xG figure of 2.7 and five big chances missed. Defensive lapses again proved costly, after similar issues almost tripped them up in the narrow 3-2 win over Motherwell, which came thanks to Daizen Maeda’s stoppage-time clincher.
Performances have lacked rhythm, and their play in the final third has been less sharp than usual. Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that preparations for the January transfer window are already underway, but first he needs to halt the current slide.
Hearts, on the other hand, have been efficient and were deserved winners in big tests against Rangers and Hibernian. Derek McInnes’ side are not reliant on any single player, and their defensive shape has been a major factor in their rise to the top. A win over Celtic would extend their lead to eight points and give them a real foothold in the title race.
Tynecastle will be a difficult venue for Celtic to get back on track. Hearts have been strong at home, but it’s the Bhoys who are favourites in the top-of-the-table clash, priced at 11/10 to take all three points. Hearts can be backed at 23/10, but many new betting experts are leaning towards the draw at 13/5.
Celtic have won the last four meetings between the sides, but Hearts don’t have to look far back to find success in this fixture. They beat the Glasgow side twice in the 2023/24 season, both by a 2-0 scoreline, on their way to finishing third behind Rangers.
A point apiece would not be a disaster for either side. It would keep Celtic within touching distance, while Hearts would perhaps feel it’d keep the reigning champions at arm’s length. Rangers are surely too far back with nine points from eight games, while the others in the top six can’t be deemed serious contenders.
Celtic’s squad remains the strongest in the league, and over a full season, that depth usually tells. However, the start of this campaign has shown that they cannot rely on reputation alone.
If Celtic win on Sunday, the table will tighten and the bookmakers’ view will likely be justified. If Hearts take the points, the narrative will shift quickly. A lead of eight points, even at this stage, would force the Bhoys into catch-up mode and give Hearts belief that they can stay in the race well beyond the autumn.
This weekend’s fixture will not decide the title, but it will say a lot about the direction of both teams. Celtic need a performance that restores confidence. Hearts need to show they can keep their standards under pressure.
