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Scottish Premier League Preview: Motherwell - Celtic
Both side's looking to put Europa League defeat behind them
28 Aug 2010 07:36:00
By Alex Richards
Craig Brown's side looking for second SPL win
After an opening day home defeat against Hibernian, Brown's side emerged victorious from a tough battle with Kilmarnock last weekend, taking a 1-0 win and three points away from Fir Park.
However, Motherwell followed this up with a 1-0 home defeat by Odense in the Europa League on Thursday night, a bad tempered affair that ended with the away side down to nine men, and rumours that Brown had thrown a punch at a member of the Odense coaching staff.
Motherwell fans will be looking for the same sort of spirit from their side for the visit of Celtic, but will know that in terms of quality, a similar performance will lead to a similar end result.
The home side haven't won any of their last four home games in the SPL, losing three and drawing the other 6-6.
Neil Lennon looking to forget Europa League horror-show
Celtic boss Neil Lennon needs to get his side back to winning ways to appease supporters who will have been mortified by their sides dismal collapse in the 4-0 Europa League defeat against Utrecht.
Lennon will be pleased to get back to the bread and butter of the SPL - having won all 10 league matches in which he has been in charge.
The Hoops have won their opening two SPL games and will be looking to make it three from three against Motherwell, although the sale of Marc-Antoine Fortune and the injury to Gary Hooper leaves them short on striking options going into Sunday's clash.
Lennon will be pinning his hopes on the mercurial Giorgios Samaras, and Wales international Joe Ledley, who has looked impressive since his summer move from Cardiff, and will rest safely in the knowledge that the Bhoys haven't been beaten at Fir Park since May 2005.
Team News
Motherwell
Craig Brown is expected to field the same side which emerged victorious against Kilmarnock last weekend.
Therefore, winger Chris Humphrey should continue in a more advanced role, playing through the middle.
Possible Starting XI: Randolph, Blackman, Hateley, Saunders, Jennings, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, Hammell, Casagolda, Page, Humphrey.
Celtic
Marc-Antoine Fortune played 90 minutes in the defeat at Utrecht but has since left to move to the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.
Former Sunderland forward Darryl Murphy is likely to partner Giorgios Samaras up front in the continued absence of Gary Hooper, unless the club can tie up a deal for Anthony Stokes from Hibernian in time for the striker to play.
Highly-rated young midfielder James Forrest looks set to continue in midfield following his impressive start to the season, meaning Paddy McCourt may have to settle for a place on the bench once more.
Possible Starting XI: Zaluska, Cha, Hooiveld, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Forrest, Maloney, Brown, Ledley, Samaras, Murphy
Prediction
Celtic will be hoping to get back to winning ways following their Utrecht debacle and Neil Lennon is certain to have his players fired up for a much improved performance.
After an opening day home defeat against Hibernian, Brown's side emerged victorious from a tough battle with Kilmarnock last weekend, taking a 1-0 win and three points away from Fir Park.
However, Motherwell followed this up with a 1-0 home defeat by Odense in the Europa League on Thursday night, a bad tempered affair that ended with the away side down to nine men, and rumours that Brown had thrown a punch at a member of the Odense coaching staff.
| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £120.00 | Draw £12.00 | Celtic £45.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £150.00 | Draw £14.00 | Celtic £36.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Dundee Utd XI £50.00 | Draw £37.50 | Celtic £16.70 |
|
Motherwell fans will be looking for the same sort of spirit from their side for the visit of Celtic, but will know that in terms of quality, a similar performance will lead to a similar end result.
The home side haven't won any of their last four home games in the SPL, losing three and drawing the other 6-6.
Neil Lennon looking to forget Europa League horror-show
Celtic boss Neil Lennon needs to get his side back to winning ways to appease supporters who will have been mortified by their sides dismal collapse in the 4-0 Europa League defeat against Utrecht.
Lennon will be pleased to get back to the bread and butter of the SPL - having won all 10 league matches in which he has been in charge.
The Hoops have won their opening two SPL games and will be looking to make it three from three against Motherwell, although the sale of Marc-Antoine Fortune and the injury to Gary Hooper leaves them short on striking options going into Sunday's clash.
Lennon will be pinning his hopes on the mercurial Giorgios Samaras, and Wales international Joe Ledley, who has looked impressive since his summer move from Cardiff, and will rest safely in the knowledge that the Bhoys haven't been beaten at Fir Park since May 2005.
Team News
Motherwell
Craig Brown is expected to field the same side which emerged victorious against Kilmarnock last weekend.
Therefore, winger Chris Humphrey should continue in a more advanced role, playing through the middle.
Possible Starting XI: Randolph, Blackman, Hateley, Saunders, Jennings, Reynolds, Fitzpatrick, Hammell, Casagolda, Page, Humphrey.
Celtic
Marc-Antoine Fortune played 90 minutes in the defeat at Utrecht but has since left to move to the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.
Former Sunderland forward Darryl Murphy is likely to partner Giorgios Samaras up front in the continued absence of Gary Hooper, unless the club can tie up a deal for Anthony Stokes from Hibernian in time for the striker to play.
Highly-rated young midfielder James Forrest looks set to continue in midfield following his impressive start to the season, meaning Paddy McCourt may have to settle for a place on the bench once more.
Possible Starting XI: Zaluska, Cha, Hooiveld, Majstorovic, Mulgrew, Forrest, Maloney, Brown, Ledley, Samaras, Murphy
Prediction
Celtic will be hoping to get back to winning ways following their Utrecht debacle and Neil Lennon is certain to have his players fired up for a much improved performance.
Motherwell 0-1 Celtic
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