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Predicted Celtic lineup vs Motherwell: Donovan likely to replace injured Araujo

Celtic travel away to face Dundee United on Sunday, and with a few injuries to big players, who will start?
Celtic v Dundee - Scottish Gas Scottish Cup
Celtic v Dundee - Scottish Gas Scottish Cup | Alan Harvey - SNS Group/GettyImages

Celtic are on the road again on Sunday as they take on Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership. Three points are needed to stay well in the title race, and on Hearts, who still occupy the top spot on 66 points. Should the Hoops win, they would only be two points off first place.

Celtic beat Motherwell 3-1 last time out at Parkhead, with it being a good victory for the Celts. Elijah Just scored the opener with 32 minutes on the clock, with Yang equalising six minutes later.

Martin O'Neill's side came out strong in the second half, and Tomas Cvancara scored from the spot to put us in the lead. Yang secured a brace for himself shortly after to see the game off.

Dundee United's last match was their derby, with the game ending 2-2. They almost had a 2-0 victory, but a goal from Ashley Hay and an own goal in the dying embers saw the points shared. Now, they're returning home and will be hoping to catch Celtic off guard.

Predicted Celtic XI for Dundee United away

Viljami Sinisalo will start as the goalkeeper. With the mid-week news that Kasper Schmeichel's career is essentially over due to an injury he sustained on international duty last year.

At the back, Liam Scales will start. Auston Trusty is back for this one, and we think that the manager will go for experience when choosing who will play alongside Scales. Benjamin Arthur is in for a shout though.

At right-back, Julian Araujo is seemingly out injured, so he will not be available for this one. It's likely that Colby Donovan will start instead.

At left-back, Kieran Tierney is back from injury, so he will retain his place at the back.

In the midfield, Callum McGregor will likely be back for this one. There is a chance he could still be out injured, but we'll include him here alongside Benjamin Nygren and Reo Hatate. Hatate received some criticism after his error led to Motherwell's goal, but we think the manager will play him at Tannadice.

Up front, Yang will start on the right, with Daizen Maeda a possibility on the left. Cvancara may play this one from the off after his goal from the spot last time out.


Sinisalo (GK)

Donovan (RB), Scales (CB), Trusty (CB), Tierney (LB)

Nygren (CM), McGregor (CM), Hatate (CM)

Yang (RW), Cvancara (ST), Maeda (ST)


How could the match go?

Hopefully, Celtic will be able to secure three points on the road. We think there is a good chance of a solid Hoops victory this time out, and a clean sheet for Sinisalo.

Our prediction is Dundee United 0 - 2 Celtic.

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