Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian Predictions

PremiershipPremiership · Scotland
high confidence
Celtic

Celtic

Full Time

3 - 1

AI predicted 2 - 1

Heart Of Midlothian

Heart Of Midlothian

🗓️ Saturday, 16 May 2026 at 12:30 BST (venue time) · 11:30 UTC (your time)📍 Celtic Park, Glasgow

Win Probability (1X2)

Celtic 43%Draw 32%Heart Of Midlothian 25%

Best Value Pick

BTTS: Yes

Match Result

8/10

Celtic Overcome Hearts with Late Surge in Glasgow Thriller

Celtic claimed a crucial 3-1 victory over Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park, riding a wave of late goals to secure all three points. Despite dominating possession with 67% and peppering the Hearts goal with 14 shots (5 on target), the hosts found themselves trailing after Lawrence Shankland put the visitors ahead in the 43rd minute. However, Celtic responded immediately, leveling through Daizen Maeda just before halftime. The second half saw Celtic maintain their grip on proceedings, but Hearts defended resolutely and threatened on the break. It wasn't until the 87th minute that Benjamin Nygren broke the deadlock, before Sebastian Tounekti sealed the win in stoppage time. The match was a feisty affair, with both sides collecting a combined nine yellow cards, but Celtic's attacking persistence ultimately proved decisive.

🔥 AI Prediction Report

CERTIFIED W

Predicted

2 - 1

⚡

Actual

3 - 1

✅Result
✅BTTS
✅O/U 2.5
❌Score

💰 Bet Results2/3 hit

btts — yes
✅
over_under_2_5 — over
✅
1x2 — draw
❌

Key Moments

43' — Goal

Lawrence Shankland finishes off a swift counter to give Hearts a shock lead.

45' — Goal

Daizen Maeda responds instantly, leveling for Celtic just before halftime.

87' — Goal

Benjamin Nygren breaks the deadlock with a late strike for Celtic.

90' — Goal

Sebastian Tounekti caps off the win with a stoppage-time goal.

Celtic

Celtic

8/10

Celtic showcased their attacking intent from the outset, controlling possession and creating the majority of chances. Their 67% possession and nine corners reflected their dominance, though they were momentarily stunned by Hearts' opener. The hosts showed resilience, equalizing swiftly and continuing to press until their late goals secured the win. However, discipline was an issue, as they picked up six yellow cards in a heated contest. Key players stepped up when it mattered, with Maeda, Nygren, and Tounekti all finding the net. The backline, marshaled by Sinisalo and Trusty, limited Hearts to just two shots on target.

Key Players

Daizen Maeda: Scored the crucial equalizer on the stroke of halftime.
Benjamin Nygren: Scored the go-ahead goal in the 87th minute to put Celtic in front.
Sebastian Tounekti: Added a stoppage-time goal to seal the victory.

Strengths

Dominant possessionLate-game attacking threatEffective use of width and set pieces

Weaknesses

Disciplinary issues (6 yellow cards)Occasional vulnerability to counter-attacks
Heart Of Midlothian

Heart Of Midlothian

6.5/10

Hearts battled valiantly at Celtic Park, taking a surprise lead through Lawrence Shankland in the 43rd minute despite limited possession. Their 4-4-2 formation allowed them to stay compact and threaten on the break, but they struggled to maintain control as the match wore on. Defensively, they frustrated Celtic for long spells, but ultimately succumbed to sustained pressure late on. Hearts managed 12 shots (2 on target) and won six corners, but their attacking threat faded in the closing stages. Three yellow cards reflected their combative approach, but they couldn't hold out for a result.

Key Players

Lawrence Shankland: Opened the scoring with a clinical finish in the 43rd minute.
Alexander Schwolow: Made several key saves to keep Hearts in the contest.

Strengths

Clinical finishing on the counterCompact defensive shapeResilience under pressure

Weaknesses

Low possession (33%)Struggled to sustain attacksConceded late goals

Tactical Analysis

Celtic lined up in a 4-2-3-1, seeking to dominate possession and stretch Hearts with their wide players and overlapping fullbacks. Their high pressing forced Hearts into errors and allowed them to pin the visitors deep, resulting in nine corners and sustained attacking pressure. The double pivot of McGregor and Engels provided control in midfield, while Maeda's movement unsettled the Hearts backline. Hearts' 4-4-2 focused on defensive solidity and quick transitions. They maintained a compact shape, with Baningime and Devlin shielding the defense and Shankland leading the line. While this approach yielded an opening goal on the counter, Hearts' inability to keep the ball under pressure eventually told, as Celtic's relentless attacks wore them down in the closing stages.

Turning Point

Benjamin Nygren's 87th-minute goal, which finally broke Hearts' resistance and shifted momentum decisively in Celtic's favor.

Man of the Match

Benjamin Nygren

Scored the crucial late goal and was a persistent attacking threat throughout.

🎮 Prediction Playground

Think the model has it wrong? Nudge each team's expected goals and watch every probability react — then simulate the match and see what happens.

Celtic1.75

Expected goals · model says 1.75

Heart Of Midlothian1.35

Expected goals · model says 1.35

Win Probability
Celtic 47% Draw 23% Heart Of Midlothian 30%

Over 2.5 Goals

60%

BTTS: Yes

61%

Likely Scores

1-1 · 2-1 · 1-0

Play this match once with the probabilities above — every run is different.

Powered by the same Poisson scoreline model behind the prediction. For fun and exploration — not betting advice.

Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian Prediction Confidence at a Glance

How strongly the model leans on each market.

Match Result (1X2)
43%
32%
25%
Celtic 43%Draw 32%Heart Of Midlothian 25%
Both Teams to Score
65%
35%
Yes 65%No 35%
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
62%
38%
Over 2.5 62%Under 2.5 38%
Corners (Over/Under 9.5)
64%
36%
Over 9.5 64%Under 9.5 36%

Who do you think wins: Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian?

Cast your vote, then see how it stacks up against the model.

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The Case For This Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian Prediction

This is a top-of-the-table clash with the title potentially at stake, as Celtic host Hearts at Celtic Park. Both teams are in excellent form—Celtic riding a 5-match win streak and Hearts unbeaten in their last 5—and both attacks have been potent, with BTTS landing in all recent matches. Celtic's home record is formidable, but Hearts have proven they can get results on the road and have already beaten Celtic at Parkhead this season. Expect a tense, high-quality encounter with goals at both ends.

Key Factors at a Glance

Recent Form

  • →Celtic's 5-match winning streak and strong home record (14W, 1D, 3L, 40 GF, 14 GA)
  • →Both teams have scored in each of their last 5 matches
  • →Recent H2H is very balanced (5 Celtic wins, 4 Hearts, 1 draw in last 10), with away wins common

Defence

  • →Hearts top the table, unbeaten in last 5, and have the best away defence in the league

Match Context

  • →High stakes with the title race still open, adding motivation

🚩 Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian Corners Prediction

medium confidence
10.8expected total corners
Over 64%
Under 36%
Over 9.5Under 9.5

Our corners model projects roughly 5.4 corners for Celtic and 5.4 for Heart Of Midlothian, for an expected total of 10.8. That makes the model lean Over 9.5 corners (64%). Over 8.5: 75% · Over 10.5: 52%.

More corners tips:Over 9.5 →Under 9.5 →

How Celtic and Heart Of Midlothian Are Arriving

Form, fitness and who's likely to start.

Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian Goalscorer Form

Goals scored in last 5 matches across all competitions. Rate = goals ÷ 5 games. XI badge shows player is in the expected starting lineup.

CelticCelticlast 5 matches
D. MaedaXI
1 goal in 5
20%

Occasional threat

A. EngelsXI
1 goal in 5
20%

Occasional threat

C. Osmandsub/out
1 goal in 5
20%

Occasional threat

Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of Midlothianlast 5 matches
L. ShanklandXI
2 goals in 5
40%

Regular contributor

C. DevlinXI
1 goal in 5
20%

Occasional threat

F. Kentsub/out
1 goal in 5
20%

Occasional threat

B. Spittalsub/out
1 goal in 5
20%

Occasional threat

Celtic are in red-hot form, having won each of their last 5 matches and scoring at least 2 goals in every outing, including a 3-1 win over rivals Rangers. Hearts are also unbeaten in 5 (3W, 2D), including a home win over Rangers and a high-possession, high-shot victory at Hibernian. Both teams are scoring freely and showing resilience, setting up a high-stakes, evenly matched contest.

Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian — Last 10 Matches

CelticCelticLast 5 results
W3-1
W3-2
W3-1
W2-1
W3-1
Wvs Heart Of Midlothian3-1
W@ Motherwell3-2
Wvs Rangers3-1
W@ Hibernian2-1
Wvs Falkirk3-1

Strengths

  • +5/5 wins in last 5 — excellent form
  • +Prolific attack — 2.8 goals/game (last 5)
  • +Both teams scoring in most recent games
Heart Of MidlothianHeart Of MidlothianLast 10 results
L1-3
W3-0
D1-1
W2-1
W2-1
W3-1
D2-2
W1-0
L0-1
W1-0
L@ Celtic1-3
Wvs Falkirk3-0
D@ Motherwell1-1
Wvs Rangers2-1
W@ Hibernian2-1
Wvs Motherwell3-1
D@ Livingston2-2
Wvs Dundee1-0
L@ Kilmarnock0-1
Wvs Aberdeen1-0

Strengths

  • +Solid recent form — 3+ wins in last 5
  • +Both teams scoring in most recent games

What History Says: Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian

The H2H record is very even, with both teams winning multiple times away from home. Hearts have won on their last two visits to Celtic Park, and the last three meetings have all seen both teams score. This fixture has produced goals and drama, with neither side able to dominate consistently.

Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian Head-to-Head History

Last 10 meetings between these sides

5

Celtic wins

1

Draws

4

Heart Of Midlothian wins

50%10% draws40%
16 May 26Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian3-1
25 Jan 26Heart Of Midlothian vs Celtic2-2
7 Dec 25Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian1-2
26 Oct 25Heart Of Midlothian vs Celtic3-1
29 Mar 25Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian3-0
23 Nov 24Heart Of Midlothian vs Celtic1-4

Where the Model Disagrees with the Odds: Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian

With no odds provided, it's not possible to calculate precise value edges. However, model probabilities suggest the draw is more likely than typical market expectations for a Celtic home game, and the high BTTS probability reflects both teams' attacking form and recent H2H history. If BTTS or draw odds are generous, they could represent value.

Odds from Bet365. Positive edge = our model gives a higher probability than the odds imply. EV = expected value per £1 staked.

1X2

SelectionOddsModel %Edge
Celtic Win1.2543.0%-37.0%
Drawvalue4.1032.0%+7.6%
Heart Of Midlothian Win3.7525.0%-1.7%

Over/Under 2.5

SelectionOddsModel %Edge
Over 2.5value3.2562.0%+31.2%
Under 2.51.3338.0%-37.2%

Both Teams Score

SelectionOddsModel %Edge
Yesvalue3.7565.0%+38.3%
No1.2535.0%-45.0%

Best Value Markets Found by the Model

1X2: Draw @ 4.10EV +0.312
Over/Under 2.5: Over 2.5 @ 3.25EV +1.015
Both Teams Score: Yes @ 3.75EV +1.438

EV per £1 staked. Positive EV means this bet has mathematical edge over the long run. Past model accuracy is tracked on our predictions tracker.

Edge and EV are derived from model probabilities only and do not constitute financial advice. Odds fluctuate — always verify current prices with your bookmaker.

Things to Watch: Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian

  • ⚠️No bookmaker odds provided, so value and expected value cannot be quantified
  • ⚠️Lack of detailed player injury or suspension news for both teams
  • ⚠️Some match stats (shots, possession) are missing for Celtic's recent games
  • ⚠️Starting lineups not available at time of analysis

This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Betting involves risk — always gamble responsibly.

How This Prediction Was Made

The numbers on this page come from a structured statistical pack for Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian: recent results and scoring data for both sides, home/away splits, the head-to-head record, current league standings, known injuries and live bookmaker odds, all sourced from the API-Football data feed.

An AI model analyses that pack and produces the probabilities, predicted score and written analysis shown above. Nothing is edited by hand, and no information outside the data pack is used.

Last updated: 10 May 2026 (refreshed automatically as new team data arrives). Every prediction is scored against the real result once the match finishes — see the verified track record or read the full methodology. Football is inherently uncertain: treat this page as analysis, not advice.

More Celtic vs Heart Of Midlothian Resources