Back more onfield misery for Celtic as one of our 3 best bets

Celtic might have found their way into the Champions League play-off round via a loophole, but on the pitch the Hoops have been unimpressive of late, and their Scottish Premiership opener might continue that unhappy trend.

St Johnstone/Draw double chance @ 7/5

With Rangers, Hearts and Hibernian all residing in the Championship this season, Celtic are expected to stroll to the Premiership title, but they should not be backed to win in their first fixture.

The Hoops 4-1 and 2-0 (adjusted to a 3-0 win) losses to Legia Warszawa both followed friendly defeats, 1-0 to German second division side St Pauli and 6-1 to Tottenham Hotspur.

St Johnstone won their first league game of the year 2-1 at Ross County, and have only lost one of their past four home games against the Hoops.

Both teams to score @ 3/4

They might not be nailed on to win, but considering Celtic last failed to score in a Scottish Premiership game in December 2012, it is very unlikely St Johnstone will keep a clean sheet.

For their part the hosts, who have been participating in Europa League qualifying, have netted in all five competitive games they have played so far this season.

Celtic to score first –  24^th minute and under @ 6/4

An early goal is always on the cards in this fixture, with each of the past five editions of the match seeing a strike before the 20^th minute.

The Hoops have bagged the opener on three of those occasions, and it’s worth noting they also took the lead in the eighth minute in Warsaw before Legia ran riot in their recent Champions League match.

Therefore, although it’s wise to back St Johnstone to nab at least a point in this game, Celtic are worth a punt to kick off proceedings with an early goal.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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