Celtic vs Kilmarnock: Scottish Premiership predictions, best bets and odds

Frank Monkhouse

Profitable football betting analyst Frank Monkhouse shares his three predictions ahead of Sunday's game at Celtic Park from 16:00 GMT.

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Celtic host Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon, with pressure mounting on everyone connected to the home dressing room.

The Bhoys take on a Killie side that’s struggling at the wrong end of the Scottish Premiership and could be involved in an ugly, drawn-out relegation battle in the new year. Leaving the east end of Glasgow with all three points would give the visitors a serious boost.

The pre-match betting odds offer no surprises, with a home win the favourite. Celtic are winless in their last two starts in this competition. Could things get any worse for Martin O’Neill, his players and the Celtic fans?

Keep reading as experienced football betting analyst Frank Monkhouse explains the thinking behind his three Celtic vs Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership predictions.

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Celtic vs Kilmarnock: Betting tips

Both teams to score @ 4/5 (bet365)

Duran to score @ 4/6 (bet365)

Most goals in the first half @ 7/4 (bet365)

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Both teams to score - Yes

I avoid picking sides in the match-winner market, as there’s no real value around.

The pre-match odds available at bet365 currently have Celtic at 1/7 to win. That’s the same Celtic that has taken just one of the last six points available, had another tough night in the Europa League when hosting Besiktas on Thursday, and are under severe pressure from supporters.

Looking beyond the match-winner, I open with a bet on both teams to score.

Head-to-head stats on the Flashscore app show these clubs met at Rugby Park in early August, sharing six goals, with Celtic winning 5-1. They crossed paths three times last season, with both teams to score landing twice.

Digging deeper, I found that backing both teams to score has a 60 per cent success rate. The same bet won in three of the previous five meetings at this venue.

Celtic played twice at home in the league last month, with both teams scoring in each match. The locals thrashed Hearts 7-1, before drawing 2-2 with Dundee United.

Kilmarnock played three games on the road in October, losing 3-1 at Ibrox and Dens Park, and 3-0 at the Falkirk Stadium.

Keep it simple and back both teams to score on Sunday. Followers aren’t concerned by which team wins or which players get the goals. As long as Celtic hit the net at least once at home, and Kilmarnock add to their 13 goals scored, your bet wins.

Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/5 (bet365)

Bet explanation: Celtic and Kilmarnock must score at least one goal each on Sunday.

Anytime scorer - Duran

My second bet can be found in the scorers tab on the bet365 app and website. I’ve picked Camilo Duran to find the net at any time during this match.

A goal inside the opening 30 seconds of play is as good as Duran netting with the last kick of the ball. You can aim for a higher price by backing Duran to score first, but I’m happy with the safety net offered by the anytime scorer market.

Your bet is live for the entire time Duran is on the pitch. The Colombian forward played 65 minutes against Falkirk, and 84 minutes in Celtic’s previous Premiership home match.

Looking at his stats so far this season, Duran has been one of the few positives in an otherwise challenging few months for Celtic.

The 24-year-old got off the mark with a goal in Celtic’s 4-0 League Cup win at Tannadice in August. He also scored a brace in a UEFA Champions League qualifier with LASK Linz.

In the Premiership, Duran scored two goals past Falkirk at home, and another when Aberdeen were in town. He found the net at Fir Park and Easter Road, as well as against Hearts and Dundee United in Glasgow.

Lastly, it’s worth knowing that Kilmarnock have, by far, the worst defence in the league, already leaking 28 goals. Duran has the quality to punish that nervy backline.

Tip: Duran to score @ 4/6 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You need Camilo Duran to score at any time during Celtic’s match with Kilmarnock at Parkhead on Sunday.

Highest scoring half - First

I’ll round things off with a bet on there being more goals scored in the first half than the second. You’ll find this in the highest-scoring half market at bet365, and there’s value.

Again, the winning team and goalscorers aren’t important here. You want to see more goals in the opening 45 minutes than in the second period. The stats suggest we’re onto a good thing too.

Shining the spotlight on Celtic’s home league matches makes for interesting reading.

Celtic played twice at home in August. They beat Dundee 1-0, with Nygren netting the winner in the 52nd minute. The Hoops beat Falkirk 2-1, and led 2-0 at the break.

In September, Celtic played two home games. They beat Aberdeen 3-0, with all goals scored in the first half. They then lost the first Old Firm derby 1-0, with Naderi scoring in the 33rd minute.

Last month, Celtic beat Hearts 7-1, and were 5-1 ahead at half-time. They then shared four goals with Dundee United, and the Terrors led 2-1 at the break.

Please note that this bet covers goals from both teams. It’s the half you’re betting on, rather than the winning club or scorers.

I suggest following this pick as a single, but you may also wish to add it to small accumulators or your Celtic vs Kilmarnock Bet Builder.

Tip: Most goals in the first half @ 7/4 (bet365)

Bet explanation: There must be more goals scored in the first half of Celtic vs Kilmarnock than in the second half.