Predicted Lineup, team news, player to miss the match: Kilmarnock vs. Celtic F.C

Leaders Celtic are almost certain to win their third straight league title. On Wednesday night, they will go to Rugby Park to play Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership.

Killie’s win over St. Mirren in their last game earned a spot in the Europa League next season, while the Bhoys beat Rangers in the Old Firm derby.

Kilmarnock had only one point from their first two Premiership games after the break for the holidays. But with their 1-0 win at home against St. Mirren, they accomplished a big goal that will help them win at least two games on the European stage.

Kyle Vassell’s powerful goal against Southampton was enough to earn a spot in the second round of Europa League qualifying this summer. This means that Killie could be one of the first teams to play in the tournament’s new league phase.

Derek McInnes, the manager of Kilmarnock, said that a spot in Europe wasn’t a priority at the start of the season. However, the way his team has grown this season has secured them a pair of exciting games next season.

As the second-to-last game of the Premiership season approaches, Killie are currently in fourth place, 11 points behind Hearts in third place and nine points ahead of St. Mirren in fifth.

Following Saturday’s Old Firm derby win over archrivals Rangers, Celtic now holds the Scottish Premiership trophy for a third consecutive season. The Bhoys once again showed their poise on the big stage, making it four games without losing against Philippe Clement’s team.

Matt O’Riley, who has become Brendan Rodgers’s team’s star player this season, scored the first goal to put his team ahead. Three minutes later, John Lundstram scored an own goal, making Cyriel Dessers’s goal at a happy Parkhead only a consolation for the guests.

Celtic are in a strong situation to keep the Scottish title as they approach their last away Premiership match of the season. With only two games left to play, they are six points ahead of Rangers in second place.

The Bhoys might have already won the division without even playing a game this week. Rangers need to beat sixth-placed Dundee on Tuesday night in order to keep their slim chances of winning the division alive for at least another 24 hours.

One of Celtic’s three Premiership losses this season came at Rugby Park in the middle of December against Kilmarnock. An own goal from Nat Phillips and a strike from Killie winger Matthew Kennedy sent Rodgers’ team back to Glasgow without a win.

Kilmarnock’s Brad Lyons will miss the rest of the season after hurting his leg against Rangers at the beginning of the month.

This season, James Balagizi, who is on loan from Wigan Athletic, has played a bit part. He is currently in the Killie medical room with a twisted knee.

James McCarthy, a defender for Celtic, is still out with a hamstring strain and is not expected to return until the end of the season.

Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales worked well together in defense for the Bhoys against Rangers, even though Carter-Vickers has been having health problems lately. Both players are expected to keep their spots in the starting lineup.

Rodgers might decide to change some of his players after the emotional win over the weekend. This means that Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn and Adam Idah could be brought up from the bench.

Kilmarnock’s possible starting lineup:

Dennis; Mayo, Deas, Findlay, Corrie Ndaba; Armstrong, Donnelly, Andrew Watson, Kennedy; Marley Watkins, Vassell

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Joe Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; McGregor, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate; Nicola Kuhn, Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi