Celtic won their final seven matches of last season to pinch the Scottish Premiership title from Hearts and the champions will be keen to hit the ground running in their opening fixture at home to Dundee.
With Rangers being held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee United on Friday evening and Hearts suffering a 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen on Saturday, Celtic can steal an early march in the Premiership and this should represent an excellent opportunity.
Martin O'Neill has been confirmed as Celtic's permanent manager after his two interim spells last season led to a league and cup double and, while Daizen Maeda has left for Ipswich, they have added firepower with the signings of Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran.
Dundee finished eighth last season and they will be sharp having already played four League Cup fixtures, recording wins over Airdrieonians, Annan and Clyde as well as drawing 1-1 with Ross County before suffering a penalty shootout defeat.
The Dee made the last 16 of last season’s League Cup but were beaten 2-1 by Celtic and this looks a tricky starting point for Steven Pressley’s men.
Dundee received a big fee for promising centre-back Luke Graham, who was snapped up by Championship side Stoke, but they have added Alan Forrest from Hearts while Owen Bevan brings quality in the heart of defence following his arrival from Bournemouth.
Celtic v Dundee Tips Summary
Best Bet - Celtic to win & both teams to score @ 6/4
Alternative Bet - Benjamin Nygren anytime goalscorer @ 8/11
Bet Builder - Celtic to win, Benjamin Nygren to have a shot on target & Callum McGregor to be shown a card @ 9/2
Celtic v Dundee Prediction
Best Bet: Celtic to win & both teams to score @ 6/4
Celtic finished last season at the top of their game, taking the title with seven straight wins which concluded with a 3-1 victory over Hearts which saw them leapfrog Hearts to top spot.
Dropped points for Rangers and Hearts this weekend is already an added incentive for Celtic to start the season on a high and they should be tough to stop at Parkhead.
Celtic won 15 of their 19 home games last season and O'Neill brought the best out of them, winning 27 of his 35 matches in charge as interim.
The signing of strikers Hogh and Duran could make them even more of a force this season and they should see off Dundee, who lost their final two league matches last term.
Celtic also edged past Dundee twice after extra-time in the last 16 of the Scottish Cup and pre-season draws with Middlesbrough and AC Milan suggest they should be raring to go.
Dundee scored in their final two meetings with Celtic, however, and the Hoops were involved in plenty of high-scoring games last term.
Including this season’s four pre-season matches, both teams have scored in Celtic’s last 11 fixtures so Dundee should be able to net a consolation.
Alternative Bet: Benjamin Nygren anytime goalscorer @ 8/11
Lots of attention will be on summer signing Hogh, who arrives at Celtic from Bodo/Glimt having scored 36 goals in 63 appearances for the Norwegian side.
However, he is unlikely to feature and Swedish midfielder Benjamin Nygren was Celtic’s most valuable asset last season so he could continue where he left off.
Nygren scored 16 times in 38 league appearances for the Hoops last term and he should help Celtic get off to a flyer.
Celtic v Dundee Bet Builder Tip
Celtic to win
Benjamin Nygren to have a shot on target
Callum McGregor to be shown a card
Pays 9/2
Celtic should prove a cut above Dundee, who have a dreadful record against the Scottish Premiership champions.
Nygren was Celtic’s leading scorer last season and he should at least force a save from Dundee goalkeeper Kieran O’Hara.
Celtic midfielder Callum McGregor relishes a physical battle and he was booked 12 times in 57 appearances in all competitions last season, so looks a leading card candidate.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Celtic won their final seven league games last season
Both teams have scored in Celtic’s last 11 fixtures
Celtic won 15 of their 19 home league games last term
Dundee lost 12 of their 19 away league matches last season, winning only twice
Celtic have won 36 of their 43 meetings with Dundee since 2003
Dundee have scored in their last two meetings with Celtic
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
