Alex MacQuoid
Celtic meet Hearts at Celtic Park with the Scottish Premiership Championship fate on the line. Both teams have put together formidable runs, yet the air in Glasgow feels heavy—Celtic’s relentless attack faces Hearts’ new resilience. This isn’t just another late-season fixture. The last three head-to-heads all went Hearts’ way or saw them escape with a result, even when the bookies doubted them. Daizen Maeda’s scoring surge for Celtic stands out, while Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland quietly racks up decisive goals. Neither of these two has a goalkeeper stealing headlines, but outfielders are set to shape this story. Hot stat? Celtic have banged in 17 goals in their last five matches, refusing to let up against anyone.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Scottish Premiership 2025/26 Championship |
| 🏟 Venue: | Celtic Park, Glasgow |
| 🗓️ Date: | 16.05.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 13:30 CEST |
Celtic vs Hearts prediction
We think the best value sits with backing Celtic to win and both teams to score. Hearts haven’t lost since the Championship split and have gone toe-to-toe with Celtic all season, but the hosts’ finishing, especially Maeda’s hot streak, looks unstoppable. Still, Hearts’ attack is sharp enough—Shankland and Spittal can punish even the smallest lapse. Celtic’s aggressive, high-possession game, with 2141 passes and 78% accuracy in the last five, contrasts with Hearts’ more cautious approach, but the visitors have a knack for taking their chances and disrupting rhythm. Both sides rack up plenty of fouls (Celtic 78, Hearts 45), and yellow cards come easy (16 for Celtic, 8 for Hearts). Expect plenty of battles and maybe a nervy finish.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Over 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Celtic tore through Motherwell in their last outing, winning 3-2 in a match that should have been out of sight. They let a two-goal lead slip before Maeda stepped up again. Defensive wobbles creep in, but the attacking movement is direct and merciless. Before that, a 3-1 win over Rangers featured an all-action display, relentless pressing, and another clinical Maeda finish. Celtic don’t just outscore—they suffocate.
Hearts eased past Falkirk 3-0 in their previous game, controlling the tempo from the first minute. Shankland scored again, Spittal showed creativity, and the midfield pressed hard. Earlier, they held Motherwell 1-1, showing some frailty under pressure but keeping their unbeaten run. Hearts don’t always dominate the ball, yet they’re disciplined, organized, and capable of taking opportunities when they come.
Most recent Head-to-Head Matches
| Statistic | Celtic | Hearts |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 7 |
| Total shots | 81 | 57 |
| Free kicks | 4 | 1 |
| Corner kicks | 32 | 24 |
| Total fouls | 78 | 45 |
| Pass accuracy (%) | 78 | 76 |
| Interceptions | 22 | 31 |
| Offsides | 6 | 6 |
🚨Check out our dedicated Celtic vs Hearts stats page for more info.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Celtic the favourite
- Moneyline Celtic 1.62-1.64 | Hearts 4.90-5.20
- Draw 4.00-4.30
- Over/Under Over 2.5 1.75 | Under 2.5 2.10
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.70 | No 2.15
Bookmakers are all-in on Celtic as clear favourites, but Hearts’ recent head-to-head record throws doubt into the mix. The draw price looks tempting for value seekers—especially considering three straight H2H matches without a Celtic win. Over 2.5 goals sits at 1.75; both teams have been scoring freely and also conceding, so the odds don’t lie. Both Teams To Score at 1.70? That’s a green light, considering the attacking form on both sides. Anyone backing Hearts gets rewarded with a massive price, but the market sees this as a home banker.
Hearts. Source: Official Facebook
Possible Starting Lineups
Celtic possible starting eleven
- GK: Viljami Sinisalo
- DF: Anthony Ralston, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney
- MF: Callum McGregor, Arne Engels, Reo Hatate
- FW: Daizen Maeda, Yang Hyun-Jun, Benjamin Nygren
This looks like Celtic’s strongest group on current form, with Sinisalo keeping his place in goal. Tierney and Trusty offer aggression and technical ability from the back. Midfield is McGregor’s domain, linking everything, while Maeda and Nygren give that extra spark up top. Maeda, top scorer, is impossible to ignore—seven goals in five. Expect the usual 4-2-3-1, high on possession, high risk, high reward.
Hearts possible starting eleven
- GK: Alexander Schwolow
- DF: Craig Halkett, Michael Steinwender, Stuart Findlay, Stephen Kingsley
- MF: Beni Baningime, Blair Spittal, Marc Leonard
- FW: Lawrence Shankland, Claudio Rafael Soares Braga, Alexandros Kyziridis
Schwolow commands the box well, while Halkett and Findlay add stability. Kingsley bombs forward when possible. Midfield runs through Baningime and Spittal—one breaks up play, the other creates. Shankland’s the danger man. Hearts stick with a 4-2-3-1, but they’ll probably sit deeper and try to spring attacks wide.
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Celtic. Source: Official Facebook
TipsGG Match Prediction
We think Celtic will finally break the recent H2H jinx, but don’t expect a stroll. Hearts make every minute uncomfortable, their discipline and counter-attacks turn simple matches into chaos. Celtic’s firepower, led by Maeda, will probably be decisive—yet there’s no shutting out Shankland and Spittal’s influence. Over 2.5 goals, both teams to score, and Celtic to win form the best combo. Maybe even late drama, as both sides have shown a tendency to score in bunches and leak under pressure. This should be fun, occasionally wild, and maybe a little nervy for both sets of fans.
