Celtic F.C. vs Hibernian F.C. preview: prediction, team news, lineups
Celtic will look to edge closer to Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts when they host Hibernian at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Hoops sit third in the table with 54 points from 26 matches, while Hibs occupy fifth spot with 42 points from 27 outings.
match preview
It has been a turbulent and inconsistent 2025–26 campaign for Celtic, yet they remain firmly in the title conversation as they chase a fifth consecutive Premiership crown.
Having trailed Hearts by a sizeable margin at various stages of the season, Celtic’s recent resurgence has dramatically reduced the deficit. Since returning for a second spell in January, manager Martin O’Neill has overseen five wins and a draw in six league fixtures, reigniting belief around Parkhead.
With Hearts dropping points in three of their last five matches, Celtic have moved to within three points of the summit and still have a game in hand. However, Hearts face Falkirk before this clash, potentially stretching the gap to six points and increasing the pressure on O’Neill’s men to respond.
Celtic will also be eager to bounce back from a bruising 4-1 Europa League defeat to VfB Stuttgart in midweek — a match overshadowed by early supporter protests reportedly aimed at the club’s hierarchy. While Celtic Park is typically a fortress, the recent unrest could create a tense atmosphere.
Hibernian arrive with renewed confidence after securing just their second win in seven league games, beating St Mirren F.C. 2-0 last weekend. That victory lifted them three points clear of sixth-placed Falkirk and within five of fourth-placed Motherwell, though the latter have a game in hand.
It has been an uneven start to 2026 for Hibs, with two wins, two draws and two defeats in their last six league outings. However, with six pre-split fixtures remaining, David Gray’s side still harbour hopes of pushing for European qualification.
History is not on their side, though — Hibernian are winless in their last 23 competitive visits to Celtic Park, a run stretching back to a 2-1 success in January 2010.
form guide
Celtic Scottish Premiership form:
W W D W W W
Celtic (all competitions):
W W W W W L
Hibernian Scottish Premiership form:
D L D W L W
Hibernian (all competitions):
L L D W L W
team news
Celtic remain without Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Arne Engels, Callum Osmand and Jota due to injury.
Following the heavy midweek defeat, O’Neill may rotate his side, potentially handing starts to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Marcelo Saracchi and Yang Hyun-Jun.
Hibernian are also dealing with fitness setbacks, with Chris Cadden, Grant Hanley, Jordan Obita, Josh Mulligan and Munashe Garananga unavailable.
January signing Ante Suto has netted twice in three substitute appearances and could be rewarded with a place in the starting XI.
possible starting lineups
Celtic:
Schmeichel; Araujo, Trusty, Scales, Saracchi; McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Maeda, Nygren, Hyun-Jun; Cvancara
Hibernian:
Sallinger; O’Hora, Kiranga, Iredale; Passlack, Barlaser, Andrews, Cadden; McGrath; Elding, Suto
prediction
Despite midweek disappointment and potential unrest in the stands, Celtic’s league momentum and formidable home record against Hibs should prove decisive.
Prediction: Celtic 2-0 Hibernian
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