St Johnstone vs Celtic Predictions

• Celtic have won three of their last five Premiership away games with 63% of their goals in them after half-time
• St Johnstone have been level at the break in their last two home matches
• Celtic have won on their last 15 visits to McDiarmid Park

Title party postponed in Perth

Saturday’s Premiership clash between Saint Johnstone and Celtic at McDiarmid Park will not be a title party, but it could be a rehearsal for their Scottish Cup semi-final later this month.

Saints have given Celtic fans three sides of their sold-out stadium in anticipation of potential problems arising from the Hoops’ probable crowing in this clash. However, Rangers’ win at Parkhead last month put paid to that.

Celtic have treated the Perth venue like their own playground anyway over the last few years, winning on 15 straight occasions and racking up some wide-margin wins. None more so than the 6-0 spanking they gave Any Kirk’s side in September.

Hosts can put up the shutters for a half

Simo Valakari took the job shortly after that drubbing, but he has not been able to lift Saints from the foot of the table. They have picked up 11 points in their last eight matches, which is a slight improvement on the 15 they collected from the preceding 23.

Unfortunately for them, there is very little chance of them knocking Brendan Rodgers’ side out of their stride. Kasper Schmeichel is missing and they were sloppy at the back against Rangers, but they are otherwise a class apart from anyone else in the division.

Celtic’s 1/7 quote is entirely fair given the nature of this top versus bottom contest and recent history, but there is scope to back the Draw-Celtic option in HT-FT betting. Saints have been level at the break in their last two home games and will be desperate to avoid another pasting in Perth.