'Hibs can prey on some Betfred Cup final fatigue' - Journalists' predictions for Celtic v Hibs

Christian Doidge evades the acroabtic Jeremie Frimpong during the last meeting between the two teams

Mark Atkinson

While there is never really a "good" time to face Celtic in Glasgow, Hibs have the opportunity to prey on some fatigue from Sunday's Betfred Cup triumph for Neil Lennon's men and their Europa League tie in Romania, even if a lot of first-team players were rested.

Celtic are in the middle of a hectic schedule, while Hibs head coach Jack Ross has his first full week on the training ground with his squad.

Tails are up after a fine 3-0 win over Aberdeen and while the Hibs defence isn't strong enough to keep Celtic out, I think they have it in them to score and make life uncomfortable for the Premiership champions. Prediction: Celtic 2 Hibs 2

Anthony Brown

Hibs have generally competed well against Celtic since returning to the Premiership and, in their current vein of form, they should be capable of at least holding their own against the freshly-crowned Betfred Cup winners.

Hibs have enough on-form attacking players to find the net in Glasgow, but Celtic’s superior quality is likely to shine through in the end. Prediction: Celtic 2 Hibs 1

Neil McGlade

Despite Hibs' terrific victory over Aberdeen last weekend, it doesn't make the prospect of facing the champions at Celtic Park any easier.

I expect Jack Ross' men to give it a right good go – they certainly have the players to hurt the Glasgow outfit - but the Easter Road side's defensive frailties will suit James Forrest et al down to the ground.

Neil Lennon was afforded the luxury in resting key personnel in Transylvania this week and will again be able to call on a core group that rarely let him down. It won't be one-sided but Celtic will prevail. Prediction: Celtic win.

Patrick McPartlin

Most of Celtic's first team were given the night off on Thursday night to recover from the energy-sapping win over Rangers in the League Cup final and so should be in rude health for the visit of the Hibees, but it's worth noting that Jack Ross's side will be a different beast to the one so easily swept aside by Celtic at Hampden recently.

Hamilton nearly shocked the champions earlier this month, and it's not unthinkable that Hibs could go one better in Glasgow on Sunday - however, despite the clean sheet against Aberdeen, I don't think Celtic will be as off-the-boil as the Dons. Prediction: Score draw