Kilmarnock vs Celtic Prediction 9 August 2026
🔊 The second round of the Scottish Premiership sees Kilmarnock take on Celtic at Rugby Park. The hosts are starting the season after a painful defeat in the opening round, while the reigning champions have already picked up their first three points and are once again considered the main title contenders. For Kilmarnock, this is a chance to make amends in front of their own fans, and for Celtic, an opportunity to keep a perfect record at the start of the campaign.
Head-to-Head
The last official match between the teams took place on 15 February 2026 and ended 2:3. Here is the comparative statistics from that match (home side - Kilmarnock):
- possession: 39% vs 61%;
- corner kicks: 6 vs 7;
- fouls: 7 vs 8;
- yellow cards: 1 vs 3;
- shots on target: 7 vs 10.
📊 Statistical preview of official meetings between Kilmarnock and Celtic:
- 55 matches played;
- home wins - 6, away wins - 42, draws - 7;
- goals - 38 vs 145;
- average 1st half total - 1.51, 2nd half - 1.82;
- average match total - 3.33.
Head-to-head statistics Kilmarnock - Celtic
Kilmarnock Team Overview
The last official match was played on in the Premier League (home side - St. Johnstone, away side - Kilmarnock). The match ended 4:3.
The match stats are as follows (Kilmarnock vs St. Johnstone):
- possession: 44% vs 56%;
- corners: 3 vs 6;
- fouls: 13 vs 6;
- yellow cards: 2 vs 2;
- shots on target: 5 vs 5.
The start of the season for Neil McCann's side has been extremely painful. In the first round, Kilmarnock lost to St Johnstone 3-4, despite going ahead twice during the match. The main problem was defensive: the team conceded a decisive goal late on and once again confirmed that the reliability of the back line remains the key question heading into the new season.
At home, though, Kilmarnock traditionally perform with much greater confidence. At Rugby Park, the team regularly makes life difficult even for the championship's favourites, and the return to natural grass after last season's artificial surface should give the hosts an additional advantage. Neil McCann has also noted that the team is counting on the support of the stands in home matches against the top sides.
However, the recent head-to-head record against Celtic remains deeply uncomfortable - Killie have lost eight consecutive matches against the Hoops. Kilmarnock will be forced to play without the ball for most of the match.
Match Results: Kilmarnock
Celtic Team Overview
The current away side's last official match was played in the Premier League (home side - Celtic, away side - Dundee). The match ended 1:0.
The match stats were as follows (Celtic vs Dundee):
- possession: 66% vs 34%;
- corners: 9 vs 4;
- fouls: 9 vs 7;
- yellow cards: 1 vs 1;
- shots on target: 4 vs 3.
The reigning champions began their title defence with a narrow home win over Dundee (1:0). Despite the modest scoreline, the team were fully in control throughout and did not allow their opponents to create many dangerous chances (2.69 xG against 0.57 for the opposition). The first three points were secured without unnecessary nerves, though finishing remains some way from ideal.
Ahead of the trip to Kilmarnock, Celtic also received some good news. Jota continues his recovery and has already returned to work on the training pitch, though he will need a few more weeks before he is fully back. In addition, assistant manager Shaun Maloney confirmed that the team are heading into the match with virtually no new injury concerns.
Celtic have traditionally done well against Kilmarnock. The gap in squad quality remains significant, and the champions rarely drop points in matches against teams from the bottom half of the table.
Match Results: Celtic
Prediction for the 1st half
Head-to-head:
- played - 55;
- 1st half wins for the home side - 2; for the away side - 18; draws - 9;
- average 1st half total: 1.51;
- today's home side average 0.29 goals scored, the away side - 1.22.
Last 10 matches (overall):
- wins: 3 vs 5;
- losses: 1 vs 0;
- draws: 6 vs 5;
- average 1st half total: 0.8 (scored - 0.5, conceded - 0.3) vs 1.6 (scored - 1.2, conceded - 0.4).
- Kilmarnock have scored in the 1st half at home in 7 of their last 8 matches (Premiership).
Total Goals Prediction
Head-to-head matches (average total):
- at home team - 0.69, away team - 2.64;
- in head-to-head matches - 3.33;
- both teams scored: overall - 26 times; at home team's ground - 13 times.
- Celtic scores more than 1.5 goals in 8 consecutive head-to-head matches between these teams.
- Celtic scores more than 1.5 goals away from home in 7 of the last 8 matches (Premiership).
Both Teams to Score Prediction
Head-to-head matches:
- played - 55;
- both teams scored across all time - 26 times;
- at the home team's ground - 13 times.
Stats: Kilmarnock vs Celtic
- matches played in the tournament: 1 vs 1;
- season matches in which both teams scored (hereinafter - BTTS): 1 vs 0;
- Kilmarnock: BTTS at home - 0 (0%);
- Celtic: BTTS away - 0 (0%).
Last 10 matches:
- matches with BTTS: 3 vs 8;
- Kilmarnock: BTTS at home - 1 (25%);
- Celtic: BTTS away - 3 (100%).
- Celtic score and concede away in 7 of their last 8 matches (Premiership).
Match Result Prediction
Head‑to‑head matches:
- played - 55;
- home wins - 6, away wins - 42, draws - 7.
Last 10 matches:
- wins: 7 vs 10;
- losses: 3 vs 0;
- draws: 0 vs 0.
- Kilmarnock wins with +1.5 handicap in 11 consecutive matches.
- Kilmarnock wins with +1.5 handicap at home in 10 consecutive matches.
- Kilmarnock wins with +1.5 handicap at home in 8 consecutive matches (Premiership).
- Kilmarnock wins with +1.5 handicap in 7 consecutive matches (Premiership).
⭐ Editor's Pick
Kilmarnock will surely try to play considerably more cautiously than in the first round, but holding off Celtic's pressure for all 90 minutes will be extremely difficult. The visitors look more organised, possess greater individual quality and are gradually finding their rhythm.
That said, a heavy defeat is not to be expected. At Rugby Park, Celtic often face serious resistance, and the hosts will be maximally motivated to make amends after losing in the first round.
The editor's pick is Kilmarnock to score, as Celtic have conceded in 12 of their last 13 Premiership matches. However, the champions should use their superiority in class to collect another three points, though an easy ride is not to be expected. Predicted score - 2:1 to Celtic.
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Betting Tips: Kilmarnock - Celtic
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