With both teams at opposite ends of the form scale and separated by the length of two divisions, Celtic will be heavy favourites to ease their way through to the next round of the cup at the expense of Partick Thistle.
There should be a number of changes on the field, as well as in the Thistle dugout, where Ian McCall will return to manage the Club he left in 2011.
With competition throughout the squad, players will be eager to push into Neil Lennon’s plans. However, with the disappointing display from the last tie against Dunfermline in mind, whatever team takes the field will need to remain focused.
FansBet prediction:
Celtic to win 3-1 with Rogic to score anytime.
Martin Donaldson
It could be that Celtic are facing two teams with new managers this week. I hope we don’t have to face a dead cat bounce twice. I don’t think we need much motivation to try and retain our League Cup (we can call it ours!) but, if we do, then we can stick the new Partick manager’s comments about some of our squad on the dressing room wall.
We nearly got a fright in the last round against Dunfermline. A reminder about taking your eye off the ball, but we are in a different headspace now. We have options to make changes and I reckon we will. We have played loads of games since July and some players need rest and others need game time.
We will need to treat Partick with respect and, even with the changes, we should be too strong for the Championship side who will be prioritising improvements in the league and seeing this tie as a free hit.
FansBet prediction:
Celtic to win 4-0 with Bayo scoring two or more.
Kevin Graham
Listen to the latest episode of the award-winning A Celtic State of MindCeltic head into this League Cup match absolutely flying against a poor Partick Thistle side. This Celtic team will look to go 29 games unbeaten in cup competition, which is truly remarkable.
With the game being played at Celtic Park, there may be a few changes made to the side which comfortably saw off Kilmarnock on Sunday. Partick Thistle will also have a new manager at the helm with Ian McCall making a return to the Jags.
Neil Lennon will no doubt have one eye on the early kick-off at Easter Road on Saturday but will look to progress to the semi-final stage of the cup competition.
FansBet prediction:
Celtic 3 Partick Thistle 0, with Olivier Ntcham to score.
Declan McConville
Celtic By Numbers Preview:
- Celtic look to extend their unbeaten Cup record to 29 matches. They have not lost in 90 or 120 minutes since 31 January 2016, to Ross County.
- The champions haven’t lost a home cup tie since 8 February 2014, to Aberdeen.
- They find their opponents, Partick Thistle, is some disarray. Bottom of the Championship without a win, they have just appointed Ian McCall as manager after the sacking of Gary Caldwell. Expect some kind of new manager bounce.
- The Jags actually topped their League Cup section undefeated including a creditable 2-2 draw at Premiership Hamilton Academical. They defeated Ross County 3-2 after extra-time to get the Celts in the quarter finals.
- They will likely rely on 39-year-old Kenny Miller to lead their line.
- Celtic can be expected to rest some players given this is their 17th match since 9 July. Brown, McGregor, Christie, Ajer, Edouard, Forrest and Bolingoli have already put in over 1000 minutes this season. The likes of Bauer, Hayes, Elyounoussi, Bayo, Rogic, Ntcham could all feature.
- With changes likely, and with Partick fighting to impress the new boss, I’d expect a dominant Celtic, but an awkward tie.
FansBet prediction:
Celtic 2-0 with Bayo to score.
Alan Morrison
Watch the creator and cast of Bend it like Brattbakk with A Celtic State of Mind
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