Celtic host rivals Aberdeen in a battle between first and second in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park on Saturday.
Brendan Rodgers' side had their record-breaking unbeaten run halted at 69 games by Hearts last week, but they recovered to beat Partick Thistle on Wednesday and they are five points clear of the Dons coming into the game
Derek McInnes' Aberdeen have been the Bhoys' chief challengers for the past three seasons and they will be hoping to scythe the gap to just two points by upsetting the champions on their own backyard.
| Game | Celtic vs Aberdeen |
| Date | Saturday, December 23 |
| Time | 15:00 GMT / 10:00 ET |
TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM
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The game is not being broadcast live on television in the United Kingdom (UK) or United States (US), but it is available to stream online for viewers outside the UK and Ireland on Celtic TV.
Aberdeen's Red TV will also be providing live coverage of the match.
| TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| N/A | Celtic TV |
SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
| Position | Celtic players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Gordon, De Vries, Hazard |
| Defenders | Simunovic, Gamboa, Boyata, Ajer, Lustig, Sviatchenko, Tierney, Ralston |
| Midfielders | Bitton, Brown, Sinclair, Armstrong, Hayes, Ntcham, Benyu, McGregor, Forrest, E. Henderson, L. Henderson, Eboue |
| Forwards | Griffiths, Dembele, Edouard, Miller, Johnston, Aitchison |
There are concerns over the availability of Jozo Simunovic, while Tom Rogic (knee) and Patrick Roberts (hamstring) will definitely miss out.
New signing Marvin Compper will not be available to play until January 1 when the move becomes official.
Potential Celtic starting XI: Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Sviatchenko, Tierney; Brown, Armstrong, McGregor, Sinclair, Hayes; Dembele.
| Position | Aberdeen players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Lewis, Rogers |
| Defenders | Logan, Shinnie, Considine, O'Connor, Reynolds, Ball, McKenna, Harvie |
| Midfielders | McLean, Mackay-Steven, Arnason, Christie, Storie, Ross |
| Forwards | Stewart, Rooney, Maynard, Wright, May |
Greg Tansey is the only real injury concern for Aberdeen coming into the game. Unlike Celtic, the Dons have had a week to rest ahead of the game and Derek McInnes has a near-full panel to choose from.
Potential Aberdeen starting XI: Lewis; Considine, O'Connor, McKenna, Logan; Shinnie, McLean, Mackay-Steven, May, Christie; Rooney.
BETTING & MATCH ODDS
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Celtic are 1/3 favourites to win according to dabblebet, with Aberdeen priced at 8/1 to beat the Bhoys at Parkhead. A draw is available at 17/4.
Leigh Griffiths and Moussa Dembele are both rated 12/5 to score the first goal, while Aberdeen's Gary Mackay-Steven, who bagged a hat-trick against Hibernian last week, is priced at 16/1 to open the scoring.
GAME PREVIEW
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Saturday's festive meeting between Scotland's two top teams is gearing up to be an intense affair, with plenty at stake for both sides before the January break.
Despite their dominance of the domestic scene, Celtic are just five points ahead of Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership and the complexion of the title race will change completely should they endure another defeat.
Derek McInnes handed the Dons a massive boost when he snubbed overtures from Rangers to remain as manager and, having finished second-best in the past three seasons, he is determined to upset the odds and stage another push for the title.
His side will surely sense blood after witnessing the Hoops total capitulation against Hearts last week, but they are all too aware of the effort it will take to win, having suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at Pittodrie earlier this season.
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