Kilmarnock play host to Celtic at Rugby Park in the second round of Premiership matches of the new campaign on Sunday.
Killie had led newly-promoted St Johnstone 3-2 in their opener, before the Saints struck twice late on to seal a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Celtic found things a little tougher than perhaps expected against Dundee at Parkhead in their opening match of the Premiership season, having to settle for a narrow 1-0 win in the end.
In recent times, Rugby Park has been a happy hunting ground for Celtic, who have been successful on each of their last four trips in what is an eight-game winning run against the Ayrshire club.
Kilmarnock v Celtic Tips Summary
Best Bet – Both teams to score @ 8/13
Alternative Bet – Benjamin Nygren to score anytime @ 20/21
Bet Builder – Celtic to win, Ethan Brown to be booked and Camilo Duran 1+ shots on target @ 11/2
Kilmarnock v Celtic Prediction
Best Bet: Both teams to score @ 8/13
Celtic kept a clean sheet in their opening match against Dundee, but the away side did manage 11 shots and forced three saves from goalkeeper Viljami Sinisalo.
That was the first clean sheet kept by Celtic since a 1-0 win over St Mirren back in April. In the 11 games since, including those in pre-season, the Parkhead side have conceded at least one goal.
Three of Kilmarnock’s last six league games in the 2025/26 campaign finished with both teams scoring, while both teams found the back of the net last week in their thrilling opening tie of the season.
Celtic’s two visits to Rugby Park last season produced six points, yet the Glasgow giants have been made to fight for those points as Killie have scored in both games, with the Bhoys running out 2-1 winners in September and 3-2 in April. Indeed, both teams have scored in four of the last five games between the two.
Alternative Bet: Benjamin Nygren to score anytime @ 20/21
At times, Benjamin Nygren looked like the only player capable of securing the three points for Celtic on Monday evening and duly scored the only goal of the game shortly after the break.
Last season, the Swedish winger scored 16 Premiership goals while chipping in with five assists, and he proved crucial to the Hoops winning their fifth consecutive league title.
While Celtic weren’t at their free-flowing best against Dundee, a moment of magic from Nygren was enough to secure the three points.
He scored on his most recent trip to Rugby Park in Celtic's come-from-behind 3-2 win and given his match-winning start to the season, he looks worthy of support to continue his goal-scoring form.
Kilmarnock v Celtic Bet Builder Tip
- Celtic to win
- Ethan Brown to be booked
- Camilo Duran 1+ shot on target
Pays 11/2
The champions, even when not playing particularly well, have a tendency to somehow win. That was evident on Monday evening against Dundee.
With that tricky opening match out of the way, the Parkhead side will now be more confident ahead of taking on Kilmarnock, especially given their recent record against the Ayrshire side.
Indeed, Celtic have won the last eight matches between the two, scoring 27 goals in the process. Killie haven’t defeated Celtic since December 2023, although that was a second consecutive home win over the Glasgow giants at the time.
The Killie defence will be under pressure against an attack featuring Nygren, Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh this weekend. Against St Johnstone, Killie committed 13 fouls and this tally will likely be higher against the champions.
Young defender Ethan Brown is likely to be one of those trying to stem the flow of Celtic attacks and, having already picked up a booking against Elgin in the League Cup this season, he could find his name taken again.
Duran shone in pre-season for Celtic, scoring three goals and providing an assist, and he can step up from a somewhat disappointing showing against Dundee by at least testing the goalkeeper.
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Key Match stats
- Celtic won both matches at Rugby Park last season by an aggregate 5-3
- Kilmarnock’s last victory over Celtic came in December 2023
- The last time Celtic dropped points in the second league game of the season came back in 2020/21, ironically against Kilmarnock
- Celtic are on a run of four successive wins at Rugby Park
- Benjamin Nygren is looking to score in back-to-back games against Kille
- Kilmarnock have failed to win their opening league game in three consecutive seasons
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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.
