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Celtic vs Raith Rovers: Match Preview, Team News & Betting Tips | Feb 8, 2025

The Scottish FA Cup enters its fifth round as Celtic welcome Raith Rovers to Celtic Park on Saturday evening for a high-stakes encounter kicking off at 5:30 PM UK time. With Brendan Rodgers’ side aiming to retain their title for a third consecutive season, they face a lower-league opponent in Raith Rovers, who will hope to spring an upset. Despite the gulf in class, Celtic may field a rotated lineup ahead of their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, adding intrigue to this fixture.

Interesting Fact: Celtic have won their last five encounters against Raith Rovers, scoring 16 goals while conceding just one—a statistic that underscores their dominance over the Rovers.

Team Analysis

Home Team: Celtic

Celtic are in imperious form this season, having already secured the Scottish League Cup and reached the Champions League knockout stages. Their domestic campaign remains on track, with a commanding 13-point lead in the Scottish Premiership. While recent victories over Motherwell (3-1) and Dundee (6-0) highlight their attacking prowess, Rodgers will likely rotate his squad for this cup tie, prioritising freshness ahead of the Bayern Munich showdown. Players like Johnny Kenny, Jeffrey Schlupp, and Yang Hyun-Jun could feature prominently, offering an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim.

  • Current Form:
    Last 6 matches: 5 wins, 1 loss.
    Last match: 6-0 win over Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.
  • Key Players:
    • Yang Hyun-Jun : Providing creativity and finishing ability, Hyun-Jun has been a standout performer this season.
    • Auston Trusty : Solid at the heart of defence, Trusty continues to impress since joining from Philadelphia Union.
    • Adam Idah : Leading the line with confidence, Idah has scored crucial goals in recent weeks.
  • Injuries/Suspensions:
    • James Forrest (out, foot injury)
  • Home Form:
    Celtic remain unbeaten at home since December 2023, recording 11 wins and one draw in the league. Their dominance at Celtic Park makes them overwhelming favourites.

Away Team: Raith Rovers

Raith Rovers find themselves mid-table in the Championship, struggling to replicate last season’s promotion push. Newly appointed manager Barry Robson faces a challenging task in revitalising the side, having overseen two wins and three losses in his first five games. Dylan Easton leads the attacking charge with seven league goals, but the Rovers’ inconsistent performances suggest an uphill battle against Celtic. A shock victory here would be monumental for Robson’s side, though history heavily favours the hosts.

  • Current Form:
    Last 6 matches: 2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses.
    Last match: 1-3 loss to Dunfermline Athletic in the Championship.
  • Key Players:
    • Dylan Easton : Top scorer for Raith Rovers with seven goals, offering creativity and composure in midfield.
    • Jordan Connolly : Versatile winger whose pace and skill pose a threat on the flanks.
    • Michael Gullan : Experienced striker who provides physicality and leadership upfront.
  • Injuries/Suspensions:
    None reported. Robson has a fully fit squad to choose from.
  • Away Form:
    Raith Rovers have struggled on the road this season, winning only three of their 11 away matches in the Championship. Their away record highlights the difficulty they face against stronger opposition.

Head-to-Head and Past Encounters

Celtic dominate the head-to-head record against Raith Rovers, particularly in recent years. The Bhoys have won their last five meetings, scoring 16 goals while conceding just one. This historical advantage, combined with their superior quality, suggests another comfortable victory is on the cards.

Prediction

Goal.mu/Mauri.bet predicts: Celtic 4-0 Raith Rovers

Despite potential rotations, Celtic’s depth and quality make them overwhelming favourites. Expect a dominant performance from the hosts, with key contributors like Yang Hyun-Jun and Auston Trusty making their mark. Raith Rovers may offer resistance initially but are unlikely to trouble Celtic significantly.

Betting Tips

  1. Both Teams to Score: No
    Given Raith Rovers’ defensive struggles and Celtic’s attacking fluency, it seems unlikely both teams will find the back of the net.
  2. Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over
    With Celtic’s attacking prowess and Raith Rovers’ tendency to concede, we anticipate more than two goals in this match.
  3. Anytime Goalscorer: Yang Hyun-Jun
    As one of Celtic’s most creative players, Hyun-Jun is always capable of finding the net and could make the difference here.

Hot Stat

Celtic have scored 72 goals across all competitions this season—an average of 2.8 goals per game—highlighting their clinical finishing and attacking fluency.

Possible Lineups

Celtic (4-3-3):

Schmeichel; Ralston, Scales, Trusty, Schlupp; Engels, Bernardo, McCowan; Maeda, Kenny, Hyun-Jun

Raith Rovers (4-4-2):

Dabrowski; Doherty, Hanlon, Dick, Stevenson; Brown, Matthews; Marsh, Easton, Connolly; Gullan

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