Celtic vs Hearts predictions and betting tips – Who wins the title?

May 16, 2026 - 06:15

One of the most dramatic Scottish Premiership title races of all time reaches a conclusion this weekend, as the two contenders for the crown go head-to-head in a shoot-out.

Celtic need to win, whereas a draw would be enough for Heart of Midlothian to get their hands on the prize. What should we expect at Celtic Park on Saturday?

Celtic to win and both teams to score – 7/4 with Spreadex
Over 3.5 goals – 5/4 with Casimba
Benjamin Nygren to score any time – 7/8 with 247Bet

Celtic vs Hearts head to head overview

Date: Saturday 16th May.
Kick-off: 12.30pm.
Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland.
Where to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
Referee: Don Robertson.
VAR: Yes.
Last meeting: 25th January 2026; Hearts 2-2 Celtic.
Last 10 matches: Celtic – 5 wins; Hearts – 4 wins; Draws – 1.
Favourite to win: Celtic.

Celtic vs Hearts predicted lineups

Celtic expected lineup: Sinisalo; Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Tierney; Engels, McGregor; Touenekti, Nygren, Yang; Maeda.
Hearts expected lineup: Schwolow; Steinwender, Kent, Findlay; Kyzridis, Devlin, Baningime, Kingsley; Shankland, Braga, Chesnokov.

Celtic vs Hearts predictions

And so, after 37 rounds of fixtures over nine and a half months, it all comes down to this.

One of the most thrilling Scottish Premiership title races in living memory will reach a conclusion this weekend, as Celtic and Heart of Midlothian go head-to-head in a shoot-out for the championship.

As things stand, Hearts lead Celtic by one point. A draw on Saturday would therefore be enough for Derek McInnes’ men.

Celtic, on the other hand, need to win. Anything less and they will finish second for the first time in five years.

For a while on Wednesday night, when the penultimate fixtures of the campaign were played, it looked like the final-day situation would be more favourable to Hearts.

McInnes’ side beat Falkirk 3-0 in midweek, moving the league leaders onto 80 points. Celtic started the day on 76, and in second-half stoppage time against Motherwell, the score was 2-2. That would have left Celtic needing a three-goal victory over Hearts to win the title.

But with virtually the last attack of the game, the Hoops were awarded a penalty for a handball inside the area. Kelechi Iheanacho kept his cool to give Celtic a 3-2 win.

The way events played out Wednesday, it now feels like the momentum is with Martin O’Neill’s side. Celtic have home advantage to boot, and the bookies make them favourites to end the season at the summit of the standings.

But Hearts have defied expectations throughout this campaign. No one expected them to be in this position last summer, and the fact that a draw would be sufficient means they do not necessarily need to be at their best this weekend.

Celtic vs Hearts betting tips

The winner of Saturday’s game at Celtic Park will be champions of Scotland.

Hearts may have missed chance

It is hard to shake the feeling that Hearts may have missed their best chance to win the title.

A failure to beat Motherwell last weekend could ultimately prove their undoing. Hearts were unfortunate to not be awarded a penalty in that game, but a draw rather than a win kept the door open to Celtic.

The Hoops have found form at just the right time. They have won six in the Premiership, including all four matches since the split.

Celtic have conceded in each of those four contests, so there is still hope for Hearts, but it is hard to look past the home team.

Back Celtic to win and both teams to score at 7/4 with Spreadex

All or nothing encounter

The stakes could not be higher for Saturday’s game. It is win or bust for Celtic, while a defeat would be fatal for Hearts.

At every single moment of this match, one team will need a goal. At kick-off it will be Celtic. If the hosts go ahead at any point, it will be Hearts.

As such, the team that needs to score will have to take risks. That does not mean going gung-ho immediately, but it does mean committing bodies to attack at the right moment.

With that in mind, we may well be in store for a high-scoring encounter in Glasgow.

Tip over 3.5 goals at 5/4 with Casimba

Nygren to step up

Benjamin Nygren was one of the names on the scoresheet in Celtic’s pivotal 3-2 triumph over Motherwell on Wednesday.

It was the Sweden international’s 21st effort of the campaign in all competitions, and 16th in the Premiership.

Like all his team-mates, Nygren will be focused on securing the title for Celtic. But at the back of his mind will be the knowledge that one more goal would move him level at the top of the scoring charts.

As he has done so often this term, Nygren can make the difference for Celtic.

Go for Benjamin Nygren to score any time at 7/8 with 247Bet

Celtic vs Hearts latest odds

Find the latest Celtic vs Hearts betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More Scottish Premiership predictions

We have plenty more Scottish Premiership predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Celtic and Hearts for betting

Hearts would be the first non-Old Firm champions since Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen went all the way in 1984/85. Celtic have not kept a clean sheet in any of their last five games.

None of the last 19 league games between these two teams at Celtic Park have been drawn.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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