Celtic vs Dundee Prediction 3 August 2026
🔊 In the first round of the Scottish Premiership, Celtic host Dundee at Celtic Park. The home side kick off the new season as defending champions and are once again the favourites to win the title. For Dundee, opening away at the strongest team in Scotland is a serious test of where they're at heading into the new campaign.
Head-to-Head
The last official meeting between the sides took place on 05 April 2026 and ended 1-2. Here's how the stats looked in that match (Dundee were the home side):
- possession: 42% vs 58%;
- corners: 1 vs 4;
- fouls: 7 vs 13;
- yellow cards: 0 vs 2;
- shots on target: 3 vs 8.
📊 Statistical preview from official meetings between Celtic and Dundee:
- 45 matches played;
- home wins - 37, away wins - 1, draws - 7;
- goals - 119 vs 30;
- average first-half total - 1.38, second-half - 1.93;
- average match total - 3.31.
Head-to-head statistics Celtic - Dundee
Celtic Team Overview
Celtic ended last season with another title, though the race went right to the wire. The championship wasn't decided until the final round, when they beat Hearts 3-1 and finished two points clear. A lot of the credit goes to manager Martin O'Neil, who took charge at the start of 2026. The Glasgow club also won the Scottish Cup, beating Dunfermline 3-1 in the final - a Championship side. Now the task is the same as always: defend what they've won.
Celtic spent the summer preparing with a run of friendlies against decent opposition, but couldn't get a win. They lost to Sporting 4-1 and drew three - against Shelbourne (1-1), Middlesbrough (1-1) and Milan (2-2). The defence might be a concern: across their last 11 matches, including competitive and friendly games, Celtic have scored and conceded in every single one.
This will be Celtic's first competitive match of the new season, but at home they're a different side. In their last nine meetings with Dundee at Celtic Park, the hosts have won every time.
Match Results: Celtic
Dundee Team Overview
For the visitors, the new season starts with about as tough a test as it gets. Dundee survived in the Premiership last term, finishing eighth, but matches against the top three were a consistent problem. In their last six games against Hearts (twice), Celtic (twice) and Rangers (twice), the Dark Blues lost all six.
Pre-season was mixed. They lost to Livingston (0-2) and Maccabi Haifa (1-2), drew with Brechin City (1-1) and beat Hungarian side Paksh (2-1). In the League Cup, Steven Pressley's side did what was needed - Dundee finished second in Group D to advance, though the other four teams were all from lower divisions.
At Celtic Park, Dundee will spend most of the match sitting deep, relying on the odd counter and set piece. That said, they're already in competitive rhythm compared to Celtic, and have scored in each of their last eight competitive matches - so there's a slim chance they take something from Glasgow.
Match Results: Dundee
Prediction for the 1st half
Head-to-head record:
- matches played - 45;
- first-half wins for the home side - 15; for the away side - 0; draws - 8;
- average first-half total: 1.38;
- today's hosts average 1.13 goals in the first half, the away side - 0.24.
- Celtic have both scored and conceded in the first half in 4 consecutive matches (Premiership).
Total Goals Prediction
Head-to-head matches (average total):
- home team - 2.64, away team - 0.67;
- in head-to-head matches - 3.31;
- both teams scored: 19 times overall; 8 times on the home team's field.
- Celtic have conceded in 13 of their last 14 matches (Premier League).
- Celtic have conceded at home in 8 of their last 9 matches.
- Celtic have conceded in 7 consecutive matches.
- Dundee have scored in 8 consecutive matches.
Corners Prediction
- Dundee have taken over 2.5 corners in 8 of their last 9 matches.
Both Teams To Score Prediction
Head-to-head matches:
- played - 45;
- both teams scored in total - 19 times;
- on the home team's field - 8 times.
- Celtic have scored and conceded at home in 8 of their last 9 matches.
- Celtic have scored and conceded in 7 consecutive matches.
- Celtic have scored and conceded at home in 6 of their last 7 matches (Premier League).
- Celtic have scored and conceded in 5 consecutive matches (Premier League).
Match Result Prediction
Head-to-head matches:
- played - 45;
- home wins - 37, away wins - 1, draws - 7.
Statistics: Celtic vs Dundee
Last 10 matches:
- wins: 9 vs 6;
- losses: 1 vs 3;
- draws: 0 vs 1.
- Dundee have won with a +2.5 handicap in 7 of their last 8 head-to-head matches against this opponent (Premier League).
- Dundee have won with a +2.5 handicap in 14 of their last 15 matches (Premier League).
- Dundee have won with a +2.5 handicap away from home in 9 of their last 10 matches.
- Dundee have won with a +2.5 handicap away from home in 6 of their last 7 matches (Premier League).
⭐ Editor's Prediction
Celtic kick off their title defence at home and hold a clear edge in just about every area of the game. The visitors did get some minutes over the summer and have already had a taste of competitive football in the League Cup, but the gap in quality between these two sides is hard to ignore.
The head-to-head record at Celtic Park tells the same story. Dundee can hold their shape for long stretches, but sustained Celtic pressure should eventually tell. The most likely outcome is a comfortable Celtic win with a -1.5 handicap. Predicted score - 3:1.
Betting Tips: Celtic - Dundee
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Comparison of Teams Stats
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