Celtic have won eight of their last nine league games (D1), including each of their last four in a row. As well as this, the Hoops have picked up more home points in this season’s Scottish Premiership than any other side (20).
It is a game every 3/4 days now for Celtic and it is starting to take its toll on the squad. In recent weeks we have watched Ralston, Jota, Welsh, Ajeti, Giakoumakis, Forrest, McCarthy and Kyogo hit the treatment tables.
All eyes on today’s team sheet will shoot straight to the lone striker position. Very little has been given away on the injury to Kyogo with Ange hinting he could still make today’s game for the visit of Motherwell. Albian Ajeti got a rare start on Thursday night but went off with a hamstring injury to be replaced by Kyogo.
The Japanese striker then went off in the second half too, leaving Ange Postecoglou with a striker crisis in a crunch time of the season.
Motherwell have their own problems, with manager Graham Alexander admitting they would be a “little bit bare” for Sunday’s clash after picking up some fitness issues at Easter Road last weekend. Alexander has issues in central defence, with Ricki Lamie going off against Hibernian and Sondre Solholm Johansen and Juhani Ojala already out. Mark O’Hara has been missing from Motherwell’s midfield but Barry Maguire returns from suspension.
With both team sheets just released this is how Celtic will line up today:
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Today's Hoops line-up ?⚪️
#cinchPrem | #CELMOT | #COYBIG ? pic.twitter.com/hP5sDUU5nh— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) December 12, 2021
For the last 3 years in December Celtic have had to play games without any strikers available. Hopefully, the Bhoys can get through today’s game with three points and Kyogo will be back for a trip to play Ross County on Wednesday night.
The Hoops have won each of their last nine league matches against Motherwell, scoring two or more goals each time since a 1-1 draw in December 2018.
Motherwell have lost each of their last nine league visits to Celtic since a 2-1 win in December 2015 under Mark McGhee. They have conceded 30 goals and scored just three in this spell.
The SPL top scorer Tony Watt has nine league goals this season and have earned Motherwell 11 points, the most of any player for their club in their season’s competition. Watt scored seven goals in 25 league appearances for Celtic but has never scored against his former side in seven league matches against them.
