Date of Tips: 06/08/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (14:33 06/08/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
Kilmarnock FC
v Celtic FC 
Rugby Park
Premier League Matchday 2 
09-08-2026 12:30
Kilmarnock Form
Celtic Form
Kilmarnock vs Celtic prediction takes centre stage as the Scottish Premiership returns with an intriguing Matchday 2 clash on Sunday 9 August 2026. The champions travel to Rugby Park looking to make it two league wins from two in the 2026/27 campaign, while Kilmarnock will be determined to respond after an entertaining but disappointing opening-day defeat. With kick-off set for 1:30pm BST, there’s plenty riding on this early-season encounter.
Celtic arrive with momentum after edging Dundee United, whereas Kilmarnock showed they can cause problems in attack despite conceding four goals against St Johnstone. That contrast makes for an interesting contest between a confident title contender and a home side eager to put their first points on the board.
Celtic are aiming to maintain their perfect league start before attention turns towards an upcoming UEFA Champions League qualifier. Kilmarnock, meanwhile, know another defeat would leave them playing catch-up very early in the campaign, so there’s every incentive to produce a much-improved defensive display.
Supporters in the UK can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
Live streaming is available via Sky Go and a valid Sky Sports subscription. International viewers can watch through Celtic TV/CelticPlayer where broadcasting rights permit.
Kilmarnock remain without Djenairo Daniels, who continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
There is better news in defence as Robbie Deas returns after serving a suspension carried over into the opening weekend. Summer arrivals Johnly Yfeko and Jonathan Meier are both available and pushing for starting places.
Celtic have no injury absentees to contend with, although Liam Scales serves the second and final match of his domestic suspension. Cameron Carter-Vickers is continuing to build fitness after his lengthy lay-off but featured in the season opener and is expected to be involved again.
Despite ongoing transfer speculation surrounding Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels, both remain available for selection.
Stryjek; O’Hara, Deas, Yfeko, Brandon; Lowery, Kiltie, Tiffoney, Schjønning-Larsen; Hugill, John-Jules.
Schmeichel; Scales, Murray, Carter-Vickers, Tierney; McGregor, Hatate, Engels; Hogh, Duran, Nygren.
There remains a slight question over Celtic’s central defensive partnership because of Scales’ suspension, while Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann has decisions to make over how quickly to integrate his new signings.
Kilmarnock’s opening league game ended in a dramatic 4-3 defeat away to St Johnstone. While scoring three goals will have pleased the home supporters, conceding four highlighted the defensive work still required.
There are positives to build on at Rugby Park, though. Kilmarnock won four of their final six home league matches last season, showing they are capable of making life uncomfortable for visiting sides.
Celtic made a solid if unspectacular start by beating Dundee United 1-0. It wasn’t a free-flowing performance, but it demonstrated defensive discipline and the ability to grind out results when needed.
That victory also extended Celtic’s impressive domestic league run to six consecutive wins, reinforcing the confidence surrounding Martin O’Neill’s side heading into another title challenge.
Recent meetings have strongly favoured Celtic.
The champions have won their last six league meetings with Kilmarnock and have scored at least two goals in every one of those victories.
The most recent encounter at Rugby Park finished Kilmarnock 2-3 Celtic in February 2026, another reminder that these fixtures often provide entertainment even when Celtic come out on top.
Everything points towards Celtic starting as deserved favourites, but this doesn’t necessarily look like a straightforward afternoon.
Kilmarnock demonstrated plenty of attacking intent in their opening fixture, while Celtic’s consistency in this fixture is difficult to ignore. An away victory remains the strongest angle, although the hosts have enough quality to make things competitive.
If you’re looking for more of today’s football tips, it’s worth checking out the rest of the weekend’s fixtures before making your selections.
There’s a reasonable case for both teams finding the net.
Kilmarnock scored three times on the opening weekend and generally enjoy stronger performances at Rugby Park, while Celtic rarely struggle to create chances against this opponent. BTTS looks like a realistic possibility.
BTTS Prediction: BTTS – Yes. Bet with bet365.
Over 2.5 goals has plenty going for it.
The previous meeting between these sides produced five goals, and Kilmarnock’s defensive issues remain a concern after conceding four in their league opener. Celtic may approach the game with control, but there are enough indicators to expect chances at both ends.
Over/Under Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
A 2-1 victory for Celtic looks like the most sensible prediction.
Celtic’s quality, recent momentum and dominant head-to-head record give them the edge, but Kilmarnock have shown enough going forward to suggest they can make the visitors work hard for all three points.
Correct Score Prediction: Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic. Bet with bet365.
Benjamin Nygren stands out as the strongest first goalscorer candidate after scoring the winner in Celtic’s opening league match.
Camilo Duran is another player capable of making an early impact if he starts in attack
First Goalscorer Prediction: Benjamin Nygren. Bet with bet365.
The game could produce a healthy number of corners.
Kilmarnock are likely to spend spells defending deep before looking to break quickly, while Celtic should enjoy sustained periods of possession and attacking pressure, increasing the likelihood of repeated deliveries into the penalty area.
Corners Prediction: Over 9.5 corners. Bet with bet365.
This has the ingredients of a competitive Premiership contest.
With Kilmarnock looking to bounce back after defeat and Celtic chasing another three points, there should be plenty of committed challenges.
Cards Prediction: Over 3.5 Cards. Bet with bet365.
A sensible Bet Builder could include:
Those selections fit well with the recent form, head-to-head trends and the attacking qualities both teams have shown.
Bet Builder Tip: Celtic to win, Both Teams To Score – Yes, and Over 9.5 Corners. Bet with bet365.
Celtic deserve to be favourites and recent history only strengthens that view. They’ve won each of the last six league meetings, arrive on the back of another opening-day victory and continue to look organised at both ends of the pitch.
Kilmarnock shouldn’t be underestimated, particularly at Rugby Park, where they’ve enjoyed encouraging home form. They also showed enough attacking quality in their opening fixture to suggest they can trouble Celtic’s defence.
Even so, the visitors appear to have more quality across the pitch and are likely to create the clearer chances over the course of the afternoon.
Prediction: Kilmarnock 1-2 Celtic
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Celtic are favourites thanks to their excellent recent form and six consecutive league wins over Kilmarnock.
The match kicks off at 1:30pm BST on Sunday 9 August 2026.
The match takes place at The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park in Kilmarnock, Scotland.
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