Celtic to open title defence with win over Hearts

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Scottish champions Celtic kick-off the defence of their SPL title on Saturday, as the Hoops host Hearts at Parkhead.

The home side head into their SPL opener on the back of a 1-0 win over Rosenborg in the Champions League that saw the Hoops progress into the play-off round. Following last season’s unbeaten campaign, the Hoops will be confident of retaining the SPL title once again this season.

Brendan Rodgers side has a formidable record in the Scottish top-flight, having gone 39 games without defeat in the Scottish top-flight. Unsurprisingly, the Hoops recorded five consecutive victories at the end of last season.

The home side has been prolific in their recent SPL games, scoring two or more goals in their last seven league outings. The Hoops home record is strong in the SPL, as they are now 29 games unbeaten on home soil in the Scottish top-flight.

Hearts head into this game on the back of sacking of rookie boss Ian Cathro after a poor run of results in pre-season, including exiting the League Cup against Dunfermline last time out.

John Daly will be in caretaker charge for the daunting trip Glasgow. The visitors have a poor record against Celtic, having to fail to win any of the last 19 meetings in all competitions against the Hoops.

The club from the Scottish capital finished last season in poor form, failing to win in their last six league games and losing their last four in the SPL. To make matters worse they have also conceded two or more goals in their last five SPL outings.

Hearts also have a woeful away record in the SPL, losing six of their last seven games on their travels in the Scottish top-flight.

Forebet predicts that Celtic’s dominant form in the SPL will continue in this clash and the Hoops title defence will get off to a winning start.