Aberdeen vs Celtic Prediction: Celtic will defeat Aberdeen 2-0 at Pittodrie Stadium on Thursday, 5 February 2026, as the Bhoys carry superior form with seven unbeaten matches while Aberdeen struggles without suspended captain Graeme Shinnie and faces defensive injuries that weaken their structure against Celtic’s attacking quality.
Match Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Scottish Premiership (Matchday 25) |
| Date | Thursday, 5 February 2026 |
| Kick-off Time | 1:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen |
| Aberdeen Position | 7th (28 points from 24 games) |
| Celtic Position | 2nd (48 points from 24 games) |
| Head-to-Head | Celtic won last 5 league meetings |
Key Facts
- Aberdeen sits seventh in the Scottish Premiership with 28 points after 24 matches, trailing sixth-placed Falkirk by five points.
- Celtic occupies second position with 48 points, sitting six points behind league leaders Hearts.
- The Dons dismissed manager Jimmy Thelin in December after a seven-game winless streak across all competitions.
- Peter Leven serves as Aberdeen’s interim manager and has recorded two wins and one defeat in his three matches.
- Celtic appointed Martin O’Neill as caretaker manager for the second time this season after Wilfried Nancy’s dismissal.
- O’Neill has guided Celtic to five wins and two draws in his seven games back at the helm.
- Celtic maintains a dominant record against Aberdeen with five consecutive Scottish Premiership victories.
- Aberdeen won the 2024-25 Scottish FA Cup final against Celtic, marking their most recent triumph over the Bhoys.
- Graeme Shinnie will miss the match for Aberdeen due to suspension following a red card.
- Celtic enters the fixture on a seven-game undefeated streak with five wins and two draws.
On This Page
Aberdeen vs Celtic Preview and Prediction
Aberdeen must defend deep and compact, limiting space between defensive lines.
Counter-attacks through Keskinen’s pace offer the primary attacking threat. Set pieces represent Aberdeen’s best scoring opportunities given Celtic’s defensive injuries.
Celtic will dominate possession and probe for openings through patient build-up play.
Wide players will stretch Aberdeen’s defensive shape, creating central spaces for midfield runners. The full-backs, particularly Tierney, will push high to provide width and crossing opportunities.
Injuries and Suspensions
Aberdeen Injury List
Aberdeen faces significant defensive absences. Gavin Molloy remains unavailable due to injury. Kristers Tobers continues his recovery from a long-term injury.
Mats Knoester sits out with an ongoing fitness issue. Nicholas Suman also misses the match through injury.
Key Suspension
Graeme Shinnie received a red card last weekend and serves a suspension.
His absence removes Aberdeen’s midfield anchor and captain, creating a significant leadership void.
Celtic Injury List
Celtic contends with multiple absentees. Alistair Johnston remains sidelined with injury. Callum Osmand continues his rehabilitation.
Cameron Carter-Vickers, a defensive cornerstone, stays unavailable. Jota misses the match through injury. Marcelo Saracchi also remains out.
Impact Analysis
Shinnie’s suspension represents Aberdeen’s most damaging absence. The captain provides defensive stability and distributes possession effectively.
His replacement, likely Leighton Clarkson, lacks Shinnie’s experience and physical presence. Celtic’s injuries affect squad depth but O’Neill has managed rotations effectively during his recent unbeaten run.
Predicted Aberdeen vs Celtic Lineups and Tactical Setup
Aberdeen Predicted Formation (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper: Mitov
Defense: Devlin, Morrison, Nilsen, Frame
Midfield: Bilalovic, Cameron, Clarkson, Armstrong, Keskinen
Forward: Nisbet
Peter Leven will likely deploy a compact 4-2-3-1 formation designed to absorb Celtic’s attacking pressure. Leighton Clarkson steps into Shinnie’s role alongside Stuart Armstrong in central midfield.
Lyall Cameron operates as the attacking midfielder behind striker Nisbet. The wide players, Bilalovic and Keskinen, must track back diligently to support the full-backs.
Celtic Predicted Formation (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Schmeichel
Defense: Araujo, Murray, Scales, Tierney
Midfield: Hyun-Jun, Engels, McGregor
Forwards: Maeda, Cvancara, Nygren
Celtic will implement their fluid 4-3-3 system that has delivered results under O’Neill’s second stint. Callum McGregor anchors the midfield, providing distribution and defensive cover.
The front three offers pace and movement, with Maeda’s energy on the left flank particularly dangerous. Kieran Tierney’s return to fitness strengthens the left-back position significantly.
Key Players to Watch
Aberdeen
Stuart Armstrong brings Premier League experience and technical quality to Aberdeen’s midfield.
His ability to retain possession under pressure will prove crucial. Striker Nisbet must capitalize on limited chances, as Aberdeen will create few clear opportunities.
Celtic
Callum McGregor controls Celtic’s tempo and dictates play from deep positions. His passing range and positional intelligence allow Celtic to dominate possession.
Maeda’s pace and pressing intensity on the left wing creates constant problems for opposition defenses. Cvancara’s physical presence provides a focal point in attack.
Current Standings Analysis
Scottish Premiership Table (Top 7)
Hearts leads the table with 54 points from 24 matches, maintaining a six-point advantage over both Celtic and Rangers, who share second place with 48 points each.
Motherwell occupies fourth with 43 points, followed by Hibernian in fifth with 36 points. Falkirk sits sixth with 33 points, while Aberdeen trails in seventh with 28 points.
The gap between Aberdeen and the top six has widened to five points, making this match crucial for the Dons’ ambitions to climb the table. Celtic needs maximum points to maintain pressure on Hearts at the summit.
Team Form and Recent Results
Aberdeen’s Recent Form
Aberdeen’s campaign has experienced significant turbulence.
The Dons started poorly with just one win in their opening 11 games across all competitions.
A 4-0 victory over Dundee on matchday seven sparked improvement, leading to seven wins, two draws, and one loss in the next 10 league fixtures.
December brought disaster with seven games without victory, culminating in Thelin’s departure.
Recent results show: Loss to Kilmarnock (3-0), Win against Livingston (6-2), Win over Raith (1-0), Loss to Rangers (0-2), and another Loss to Rangers (2-0).
Celtic’s Recent Form
Celtic’s season has featured managerial upheaval. Brendan Rodgers departed after disappointing results and board conflicts.
Martin O’Neill initially steadied the ship with seven wins in eight games, closing an eight-point gap to Hearts.
Wilfried Nancy’s brief tenure produced just two wins in eight games with six defeats, leading to his swift dismissal.
O’Neill returned and immediately restored stability. Recent results include: Win against Falkirk (2-0), Win over Utrecht (4-2), Draw with Hearts (2-2), Draw with Bologna (2-2), and Win against Auchinleck Talbot (2-0).
Head-to-Head Analysis
Celtic dominates recent encounters with Aberdeen. The last five Scottish Premiership meetings produced five Celtic victories.
The most recent league clash on 21 December 2025 ended 3-1 in Celtic’s favor. Earlier in August 2025, Celtic secured a 2-0 away victory at Pittodrie.
However, Aberdeen holds one significant recent triumph. The Dons won the 2024-25 Scottish FA Cup final 2-1 after extra time, with the match finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes.
This victory represents Aberdeen’s most recent success against Celtic and provides psychological encouragement.
The historical pattern shows Celtic scoring freely against Aberdeen. In the last five meetings, Celtic netted 13 goals while Aberdeen managed just four.
The Bhoys’ attacking prowess has consistently overwhelmed Aberdeen’s defensive structure.
Where and When to Watch?
The match takes place at Pittodrie Stadium on Thursday, 5 February 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 1:30 AM Indian Standard Time. Indian viewers can watch the match live on Celtic TV with a subscription.
International coverage spans multiple continents, with Sky Sports Football broadcasting in Great Britain and Ireland, while Paramount+ carries the match in the United States.
Aberdeen vs Celtic Prediction
Celtic’s superior form, quality, and dominant head-to-head record makes them clear favorites.
Aberdeen’s defensive injuries and Shinnie’s suspension weaken their structure significantly. Celtic’s seven-game unbeaten run demonstrates consistency and confidence under O’Neill’s guidance.
Aberdeen’s home advantage and FA Cup final victory provide motivation, but Celtic’s attacking firepower should prove decisive.
The Bhoys need three points to maintain pressure on Hearts and will approach this match with intensity.
Predicted Score: Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic
Celtic’s quality in the final third and Aberdeen’s defensive vulnerabilities suggest a comfortable away victory for the Bhoys.
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FAQs
Where To Watch Aberdeen vs Celtic Live?
Indian viewers can watch Aberdeen vs Celtic live on Celtic TV with a subscription on Thursday, 5 February 2026, while fans in Great Britain and Ireland access the match through Sky Sports Football and Sky Go, and United States viewers stream via Paramount+.
Who Will Win Aberdeen vs Celtic Match?
Celtic will win the Aberdeen match based on their seven-game unbeaten streak under caretaker manager Martin O’Neill, five consecutive Scottish Premiership victories over Aberdeen, and the Dons’ weakened squad missing suspended captain Graeme Shinnie plus four injured defenders.
What is Aberdeen vs Celtic Match Kick-Off Time?
Aberdeen vs Celtic kicks off at 1:30 AM Indian Standard Time on Thursday, 5 February 2026 at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen for the Scottish Premiership matchday 25 fixture.
Are There Any Injuries in Aberdeen vs Celtic Match?
Aberdeen miss four injured players including defenders Gavin Molloy, Kristers Tobers, Mats Knoester, and goalkeeper Nicholas Suman, plus suspended captain Graeme Shinnie, while Celtic play without injured defenders Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers, forward Jota, and full-back Marcelo Saracchi.
What Is The Correct Score Prediction For Aberdeen vs Celtic Match?
The predicted score for Aberdeen vs Celtic is 0-2 in favor of Celtic because the Bhoys maintain dominant form with five wins and two draws in seven matches under Martin O’Neill while Aberdeen struggle with defensive absences and lost three of their last five games.
Celtic Standing with Points?
Celtic sits in second position in the Scottish Premiership table with 48 points from 24 matches after recording 15 wins, three draws, and six losses, trailing league leaders Hearts by six points with a goal difference of plus-20.
Aberdeen Standing With Points?
Aberdeen occupies seventh position in the Scottish Premiership standings with 28 points from 24 matches after securing eight wins, four draws, and 12 losses, sitting five points behind sixth-placed Falkirk with a negative goal difference of minus-7.