Celtic vs Kilmarnock: prediction, tip and odds, 8 November 2026, Scottish Premiership

Celtic vs Kilmarnock betting prediction

Celtic sit first in the Scottish Premiership on 28 points, while Kilmarnock are 11th on 9. On paper that is a home side with the better attack and the better defence, and the bookmakers agree. Kick-off is 16:00 on 8 November 2026 at Celtic Park in Glasgow, a ground with a capacity of 60832. The likeliest exact scores are 2-0 and 3-0, both at 9.6%, with 2-1 next at 8.1%.

Celtic's home record against Kilmarnock's road struggles

In this competition Celtic have scored 27 goals in 12 matches and conceded 10, which is 2.3 scored and 0.8 conceded a game. Kilmarnock have scored 13 and conceded 28. Away from home they have managed 6 goals in 6 matches and let in 13. Celtic's home numbers are the strongest part of their record: 15 scored and 5 conceded at Celtic Park. We would not expect Kilmarnock to be any different on the road from what they have shown so far in this league.

Form elsewhere, and why the table is only half the story

The league table and the season figures cover this competition only. The last five matches of each side are taken from all competitions, so they tell a different story in places. Celtic's last five brought 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats, with 12 goals scored and 8 conceded. The defeats were a 1-2 home loss to Celta Vigo and a 2-0 reverse at Falkirk. Celtic have been sharp in front of goal, but they have also been beaten twice in that run, so we do not treat the league lead as a guarantee.

Kilmarnock's last five gave them 1 win, 1 draw and 3 defeats, with 7 goals scored and 13 conceded. Their one win was a 3-2 home result against Motherwell. The other results include a 3-0 defeat at Falkirk and a 3-1 defeat at Dundee, and that is the sort of run that makes us cautious about backing them to get anything from this game.

Fifty-three meetings with one clear pattern

Across the last 53 meetings Celtic have won 40, drawn 8 and lost 5, with 138 goals scored to Kilmarnock's 38. The most recent meeting in the list was Kilmarnock 1-5 Celtic on 9/8/26. Before that came Kilmarnock 2-3 Celtic on 15/2/26 and Celtic 4-0 Kilmarnock on 9/11/25. Kilmarnock's record in this run is thin, and we would not build a bet around them getting a result here.

Team news: nothing reported on either side

Neither club has any absences reported, so we expect both managers to pick from their strongest options. There is nothing in the team news to change the picture, and the decision comes down to the form and the shape of both sides.

What the bookmakers expect from this one

The market makes Celtic a heavy favourite. The chance of a Celtic win is 57% at best odds of 1.70, a draw is 12% at best odds of 8.29 and a Kilmarnock win is 8% at best odds of 13.50. The expected goals are about 3 for Celtic and 1 for Kilmarnock, around 4 in total. Over 2.5 goals stands at a chance of 74%, and both teams to score is 54% yes at best odds of 1.80. The bookmaker margin on the match result is 8.1%, so the prices are not generous, but they are a fair reflection of how the match looks on paper.

Both teams to score at 1.80 (chance 54%)

This is our main tip of the page. Both sides have scored in 4 of their last 5 matches, Celtic have failed to score in only 1 of their last 5, and Kilmarnock have also failed to score in only 1 of their last 5. The expected total of about four goals supports the idea that both sides find the net. The bet wins on 2-1 and 3-1 and loses on 2-0, 3-0, 4-0 and 1-0. That is the catch. It needs Kilmarnock to score and Celtic not to win by a wide margin, and the most likely scores in the market work against it.

Celtic to win at 1.70 (chance 57%)

Celtic to win is our second tip, at odds of 1.70 with a chance of 57%. Kilmarnock have won only 1 of their last 5, Celtic are first with 28 points and Kilmarnock are 11th with 9. Celtic have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 1 at home in this competition. Across 53 meetings they have won 40 to Kilmarnock's 5. The price is short, so this is a stake for someone who wants the match result rather than a bargain. The bet wins on every one of the likeliest scores listed: 2-0, 3-0, 2-1, 3-1, 4-0 and 1-0.

Other bets we would consider

• Celtic -1 (Asian handicap) at 1.22, chance 77%. At -1 Celtic must win by 2 or more, and a win by exactly 1 returns the stake. This is a sensible way to back the favourite without needing a heavy win.
• Over 2.5 goals at 1.29, chance 74%. The market expects a goal-filled game, and this bet fits a Celtic win with goals at both ends.
• Celtic -1.5 (Asian handicap) at 1.50, chance 64%. At -1.5 Celtic must win by 2 or more. This suits us if we want more from the match than a simple win.
• Over 9.5 corners at 1.36, chance 68%. We have no strong view on the corners beyond the market figure, but it is the price we would take if we were after a second line.

Final word: Celtic to win, with 2-0 and 3-0 the likeliest

We think Celtic win this one, and 2-0 is joint most likely with 3-0 in the market. If it goes that way, our second tip wins and the main tip loses. Our main tip is the more interesting argument, but the short price on Celtic is the sounder bet, and that is where we would put the money.