Celtic vs Hearts: Odds, Lineups, Prediction & 9/1 Bet Builder Tip

In a thrilling climax to the 2025/26 Premiership season, league leaders Celtic host second-placed Hearts at Parkhead on Friday, May 16th, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 PM BST. With the Scottish title hanging in the balance, this encounter promises to be a dramatic decider in the race for domestic glory.

Celtic vs Hearts Form

The Bhoys come into this crucial fixture in impeccable form, having secured a 3-2 away victory against Motherwell in their last outing. This win extends Celtic's remarkable run to six consecutive victories in the Premiership, a testament to their dominance. Their attacking prowess has been particularly evident, with the Glasgow giants scoring at least two goals in their last four Premiership matches, and witnessing over 2.5 goals in 11 of their last 13 league games.

Hearts also arrive with confidence, having dispatched Falkirk with a comfortable 3-0 home win in their most recent fixture. The Jambos have been in formidable shape themselves, boasting an impressive undefeated streak of seven Premiership matches.

Celtic vs Hearts Head to Head

The most recent encounter between these two Scottish heavyweights ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Hearts in January 2026. Looking back at the last six meetings, Celtic have held a slight edge, securing three victories to Hearts' two, with one match ending in a stalemate. These fixtures have often been high-scoring affairs, as evidenced by over 2.5 goals being scored in their last five matches against each other in all competitions.

Celtic vs Hearts Predicted Lineups

Celtic (4-2-3-1):

• Goalkeeper: Sinisalo

• Defenders: Tierney, Scales, Trusty, Johnston

• Midfielders: McGregor, Engels

• Attacking Midfielders: Tounekti, Nygren, Hyun-Jun

• Forward: Maeda

Hearts (3-4-1-2):

• Goalkeeper: Schwolow

• Defenders: Kingsley, Findlay, Kent

• Midfielders: Milne, Baningime, Devlin, Steinwender

• Attacking Midfielder: Spittal

• Forwards: Shankland, Braga

Celtic vs Hearts Team News

Interim Celtic manager Martin O'Neill faces a significant challenge with a lengthy list of potentially unavailable players. Goalkeeper Schmeichel, defenders Donovan, Araujo, Carter-Vickers, and Montgomery, along with midfielders Jota, Osmand, and forward Cvancara are all currently listed as doubtful. This could severely test the depth of the Hoops' squad, particularly in the defensive third.

Hearts manager Derek McInnes also contends with his own injury woes, with eight players listed as doubtful for the crucial trip to Glasgow. The defensive line is particularly affected, with Gordon, McEntee, Magnússon, Pollock, Halkett, and Leonard all uncertain. News reports confirm that both Halkett and Leonard are injured, which could necessitate further reshuffles in the Jambos' backline and midfield. Nieuwenhof and Ageu are also doubtful for the visitors.

Celtic vs Hearts Match Prediction

A mouthwatering finale of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season takes place at Parkhead, as second-placed Celtic look to steal the title from league leaders Hearts this weekend.

Celtic left it late to sneak past Motherwell, with a 98th minute penalty leading to the Hoops taking all three points from Fir Park. The Bhoys have won their final away league game in three successive seasons for the first time since 1994/95 to 1996/97 and know that a win will deliver a 56th Scottish title to the east end of Glasgow. Anything other than a victory will open the door for their weekend opponents Hearts.

Heart of Midlothian capped off a sensational 2025/26 campaign at Tynecastle Park in midweek, as the Jambos' 3-0 victory over Falkirk meant that they remained undefeated at home throughout the entire Scottish Premiership season. Anything other than a Celtic victory this weekend will see Hearts lift their first Scottish top tier title since 1960, aiming to become the first team to do so outside of Glasgow since Aberdeen in 1984/85.

Celtic could become the first team to win all five post-split Scottish Premiership games and steal the title from Hearts, just as they did 40 years ago in the infamous 1985/86 season.

Score Prediction: Celtic 2-0 Hearts

Who is the betting favourite to win Celtic vs Hearts?

Celtic vs Hearts Bet Builder Tips

• Benjamin Nygren has recorded 1+ SOT in 4 of last 5.

• Cláudio Braga has recorded 1+ shots on target in 7 of his last 7 Premiership appearances.

• Liam Scales has been carded in 2 of his last three games.

Best price 17/2 with BetMGM.