Celtic predicted XI v Hearts after Daizen Maeda update
Celtic will look to keep hold of their three-point gap at the top of the table when they welcome Hearts to Parkhead on Saturday afternoon (4 May).
Following a turbulent season in Glasgow, the Hoops have a real chance of clinching a once-unexpected domestic double.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have been plagued by injuries throughout the season, but he has a mostly fit squad heading into the crucial final run-in.
Football Insider has predicted the Celtic starting line-up to face Hearts following an injury update on Daizen Maeda.
Defence
Rodgers will most likely field an unchanged backline at Celtic Park.
Joe Hart will surely start in goal while Greg Taylor, Liam Scales, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston will possibly keep their places in the back four ahead of him.
The boss has settled on the centre-back partnership since Carter-Vickers’ return from injury and despite a few notable defensive mishaps, this backline will be deemed the strongest.
Midfield
The boss will want to stick with his winning midfield meaning he will be unlikely to change three in the middle.
Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Matt O’Riley could retain their spots in the middle of the park after their impressive display in the 2-1 win against Dundee on Sunday (28 April).
Tomoki Iwata was quality from the bench against the Dee, but Rodgers will likely want the commanding presence of captain McGregor against a strong Hearts side.
Attack
The Hoops have had no issues in front of goal having scored 20 goals in their last seven games in all competitions.
However, Rodgers could opt to drop James Forrest despite his brace-bagging performance against Dundee considering Maeda’s likely availability.
The forward was expected to be out for the rest of the season after he suffered a hamstring injury before the Hoops faced St Mirren last month (13 April).
However, he is reportedly expected to be available against Hearts in a huge boost for Celtic’s end-of-season run-in.
Kyogo Furuhashi seems to have nailed down the centre-forward role ahead of loanee Adam Idah, meaning he is likely to retain his place alongside Nicolas Kuhn on the right wing.
In other news, Celtic work on signing full-back after agreeing exit.
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