Celtic vs Falkirk Preview: Predictions, Team News, and Lineups
Celtic is set to host Falkirk at Celtic Park this Sunday for a Scottish Premiership match. Currently, Celtic holds the third position in the league with 45 points from 23 matches, while Falkirk is in sixth place, having accumulated 33 points through the same number of games.
Celtic’s Season Overview
The 2025-26 season has been tumultuous for Celtic, who has oscillated between three managers. Brendan Rodgers initiated the season but departed in late October following a poor start. This included a disappointing performance that resulted in the club not qualifying for the Champions League and finding themselves eight points behind league leaders Hearts.
Martin O’Neill took over on an interim basis and led the team to seven wins and just one loss in eight games, including a perfect league record of five wins. However, Wilfried Nancy’s subsequent stint was less successful, with only two wins from eight matches before his dismissal.
O’Neill has now returned to lead the team until season’s end, with Celtic securing four wins and two draws in six games under his guidance. Despite a recent 2-2 draw with Hearts, which saw Celtic miss the chance to close the gap, the team remains motivated to secure a win against Falkirk to keep pressure on the current top team.
Falkirk’s Journey Back to the Premiership
Falkirk returned to the Scottish Premiership after winning the Scottish Championship last season, their first top-flight appearance since 2009-10. Although they had a rocky start this campaign, winning only one of their first seven matches, they have rebounded significantly.
- Record since matchday eight: 8 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses.
- Current league position: 6th place with 33 points.
The team, managed by John McGlynn, now holds a five-point advantage over seventh-placed Aberdeen and trails Hibernian in fifth by only two points. Falkirk’s recent form includes three wins from the last four matches, fueling their ambition to secure a result at Celtic Park.
Previous Encounter
Falkirk’s last match against Celtic ended in a narrow defeat, losing 1-0 thanks to a goal from Benjamin Nygren. This loss adds extra motivation for Falkirk as they head into this upcoming fixture seeking redemption.
Team News
Celtic faces several injury challenges, with Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, and Marcelo Saracchi all unavailable. Auston Trusty is also suspended. The likely lineup features:
- Goalkeeper: Schmeichel
- Defenders: Araujo, Murray, Scales, Tierney
- Midfielders: Engels, McGregor, Nygren
- Forwards: Hyun-Jun, Cvancara, Maeda
Falkirk will miss Filip Lissah, Gary Oliver, Ross MacIver, and Thomas Lang due to injuries. Barney Stewart, who recently scored a hat-trick against Hibernian, is expected to lead the attack. The likely lineup includes:
- Goalkeeper: Bain
- Defenders: Adams, Allan, Henderson, McCann
- Midfielders: Spencer, Tait
- Forwards: Wilson, Yeats, Miller, Stewart
Match Prediction
Although Falkirk is on a strong run, Celtic’s recent performance and home advantage suggest they will narrowly secure a victory. Our prediction for the match is a 2-1 win for Celtic.
