9 August 2026, 12:30 UTC

Kilmarnock vs Celtic Premiership prediction & result

Rugby Park, Kilmarnock
Full time1 5

Final score: Kilmarnock 1-5 Celtic.

Before kick-off the model made it 53% Kilmarnock, 23% draw, 24% Celtic — fair odds of 1.89, 4.35 and 4.17. Fair odds are simply 100 ÷ the probability; they are the model's own number, not a bookmaker's price.

Most likely scoreline: 2-1.

The model got this one wrong.

Published · updated

Has the model earned this number?

It puts Kilmarnock at 53% here. Across 2485 settled matches, 635 forecasts have landed in the 50–65% band; those outcomes actually happened 52.3% of the time, against an average forecast of 55.7%. In this range the two line up, so the figure above can be read literally.

Every settled prediction on this site is scored against an uninformed baseline, band by band, and published whether or not it flatters the model — see the full record.

How the model saw it, minute by minute

Kilmarnock0%Draw1%Celtic99%

Rebuilt after the match from the model's pre-match expected goals, frozen in the log before kick-off, plus the score and cards as they stood at each minute — never anything later. A ball marks each of the 6 goals. The same replay scores the in-play model on the track record.

Match analysis

Match timeline

2'
K. Hoghassist: A. Engels
Joe Hugill
26'
33'
K. Hoghassist: B. Nygren
35'
K. Hoghassist: C. Duran
46'
🔁A. Johnstonout: C. Donovan
47'
B. Nygren
M. Schjonning-Larsenassist: T. Lowery
56'
64'
🔁C. Duranout: S. Tounekti
🔁M. Schjonning-Larsenout: M. O'Hara
74'
74'
🔁B. Nygrenout: J. Forrest
74'
🔁Yang Hyun-Junout: L. McCowan
🔁T. John-Julesout: B. Rice
75'
75'
L. McCowan
82'
🔁K. Hoghout: C. Osmand

Match stats — Kilmarnock vs Celtic

36%Possession64%
10Shots33
6On target16
5Corners7
0.86xG5.65

Goals against chances

Kilmarnock1 from 0.86 xGabout what the chances were worth
Celtic5 from 5.65 xGless than the chances were worth

Expected goals totals what the openings were worth, so the gap between it and the score is the finishing — and the luck. Under half a goal either way is called level: xG is an estimate and a smaller gap than that is inside its own error.

Line-ups

Kilmarnock 4-3-1-2
  • 1M. StryjekG
  • 2J. BrandonD
  • 14G. StangerD
  • 15J. YfekoD
  • 21M. Schjonning-LarsenD
  • 8E. RingM
  • 36A. TshibolaM
  • 18T. LoweryM
  • 11G. KiltieM
  • 9J. HugillF
  • 10T. John-JulesF
Substitutes
  • 12C. FerrieG
  • 7R. McKenzieM
  • 20N. ClescencoF
  • 27I. OwenF
  • 5M. O'Hara
  • 22J. Thomson
  • 49B. RiceM
  • 25E. Schilte-BrownD
  • 39E. BowieD
Coach: Neil McCann
Celtic 4-2-3-1
  • 1V. SinisaloG
  • 2A. JohnstonD
  • 20C. Carter-VickersD
  • 6A. TrustyD
  • 63K. TierneyD
  • 42C. McGregorM
  • 27A. EngelsM
  • 11C. DuranM
  • 8B. NygrenM
  • 13Yang Hyun-JunM
  • 9K. HoghF
Substitutes
  • 31R. DoohanG
  • 49J. ForrestM
  • 17S. TounektiF
  • 21A. Oxlade-ChamberlainM
  • 41R. HatateM
  • 14L. McCowanM
  • 47D. MurrayD
  • 19C. OsmandF
  • 51C. DonovanD
Coach: Martin O'Neill

Form going into Kilmarnock vs Celtic

Kilmarnock

  • L3-4away to St Johnstone2 August 2026

Celtic

  • W1-0Dundee3 August 2026

Up to 5 matches before kick-off, most recent first. The model works from each side's rolling expected-goals ratings rather than from these results directly, so read them as context — how the ratings are built.

Premiership table

#TeamPWDLGFGAGDPts
12Kilmarnock6114514-94
1Celtic6600143+1118

Where the two sides stand today, not on the day of this match. Full table

Head-to-head: Kilmarnock vs Celtic

  • 9 August 2026Kilmarnock 1–5 CelticPremiership
  • 15 February 2026Kilmarnock 2–3 CelticPremiership
  • 9 November 2025Celtic 4–0 KilmarnockPremiership
  • 14 September 2025Kilmarnock 1–2 CelticPremiership
  • 12 April 2025Celtic 5–1 KilmarnockPremiership
  • 18 January 2025Celtic 2–1 KilmarnockFA Cup

Leading scorers: Kilmarnock and Celtic

Kilmarnock

No player in Premiership's leading scorers — 5 league goals as a side.

Celtic

  • C. Durán3 goals3 assists
  • B. Nygren3 goals3 assists
  • K. Høgh3 goals

Top 3 by league goals this season. Player availability is not part of the model — injuries and suspensions are a planned improvement.

Statistical estimate, not betting advice This prediction is generated from a statistical model for entertainment and informational purposes only. It does not guarantee any outcome and should not be used as the basis for placing a bet.