Hibernian host Celtic at Easter Road on Sunday lunchtime in a Premiership meeting that arrives with the visitors again holding the stronger hand. The sides have already met repeatedly this season, and the pattern has been clear: Celtic have generally dictated the terms, while Hibernian have had to lean on moments of resilience to stay in games.
This latest fixture comes with Hibernian missing Jamie McGrath through suspension, a significant blow to their attacking structure. Celtic, meanwhile, arrive with a settled shape and a recent win over Hibernian still fresh, making this another test of whether the home side can disrupt a side that has controlled the matchup.
Why it matters
For Hibernian, this is about more than just another league game. Their recent run has been difficult, and a home meeting with Celtic offers both a measuring stick and a chance to halt the slide. With the season entering its final stretch, the need for a response is obvious, especially after a sequence of defeats that has left little room for comfort.
Celtic’s interest is different but no less important. They have been more consistent in recent weeks and continue to look like a side with clearer structure and greater attacking threat. A strong result at Easter Road would reinforce that momentum and underline the gap between the two teams in both form and control of matches.
Form picture
Hibernian’s recent league form has been patchy and, more recently, worrying. They have lost four of their last five in all competitions, including defeats to Celtic, Hearts and Aberdeen, with the only bright spot a 3-0 home win over Kilmarnock. The 0-0 draw at Motherwell offered some defensive stability, but it has not been enough to shift the overall picture.
Celtic’s form has been steadier, with four wins from their last five in all competitions. Their only setback in that run was a 2-0 defeat to Dundee United, but they have otherwise beaten Hibernian, Falkirk, St. Mirren and Dundee, often doing enough without needing to be at full throttle. That suggests a side with more reliable control in key moments.
The contrast is also visible in the way both teams have been scoring and conceding. Hibernian have struggled to turn possession into sustained threat, while Celtic have generally found a way to create more and concede less. That imbalance has shaped the recent meetings and is likely to shape this one too.
Key storyline
The strongest tactical angle is the difference in attacking efficiency. The xG figures point to a major gap: Hibernian’s 0.57 expected goals against Celtic’s 2.93, with the visitors also far superior in expected goals on target. That suggests Celtic have been creating far better chances, while Hibernian have been forced into a more reactive role.
The other major theme is how Hibernian cope without Jamie McGrath. His suspension removes an important attacking link between midfield and the front line, which may leave Martin Boyle and Owen Elding with less support. Against a Celtic side that has already shown it can dominate this fixture, that absence makes Hibernian’s task even harder.
Team news
Hibernian are without Jamie McGrath because of a red card suspension, and that is the clearest team news issue heading into the match. Their recent use of a 3-4-1-2 suggests they may keep the same basic structure, but the personnel behind the front two or three will need adjusting to cover the missing attacking midfielder.
The predicted Hibernian shape again points to Jordan Smith in goal, a back three of Jack Iredale, Rocky Bushiri and Warren O'Hora, and a midfield line built around Joe Newell, Kanayo Megwa, Miguel Chaiwa and Nicky Cadden. Without McGrath, the creative burden shifts further towards Martin Boyle, with Owen Elding also expected to feature in attack.
Celtic have only one listed absentee, with Tomas Cvancara sidelined by a groin injury. Their recent lineups suggest a settled 4-2-3-1, with Viljami Sinisalo behind Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney and Liam Scales, and Callum McGregor anchoring midfield alongside Arne Engels and Benjamin Nygren. Hyun-jun Yang, Sebastian Tounekti and Daizen Maeda are again expected to provide the attacking width and movement.
Tactical battle
The key battle is likely to be whether Hibernian can keep Celtic from settling into their usual rhythm in midfield. If Celtic establish control through Callum McGregor and the wide support around Daizen Maeda, Hibernian may spend long periods defending deep and chasing the ball.
Hibernian’s best route is probably to make the game more direct and more physical, using their back three and wing-backs to stay compact before breaking quickly. Celtic, by contrast, will look to stretch the pitch and force gaps between Hibernian’s midfield and defence.
Recent meetings
Recent meetings have strongly favoured Celtic, with the sides sharing a 2-1 result in each of the last two league encounters and Celtic also winning 3-1 earlier in the campaign. Hibernian did claim a 2-1 away win in February, but the broader pattern still points to Celtic having the more reliable grip on the fixture.
Reporter’s view
This feels like a match where Celtic’s structure and chance creation should tell over 90 minutes. Hibernian have shown enough resilience to make life awkward at times, but their recent form and the loss of Jamie McGrath leave them short of the attacking fluency needed to really trouble a side that has already found ways to beat them.
If Celtic start well, the game may quickly take on a familiar shape: Hibernian defending in numbers, Celtic probing patiently and waiting for openings. The home crowd can help Hibernian stay competitive, but the balance of evidence points towards the visitors having too much control in the key areas.
Prediction
Celtic look the likelier winners, with their stronger form and clearer attacking pattern pointing towards another narrow but controlled victory.
