- Celtic won the last head-to-head 6-2 in the Scottish FA Cup 2025/2026.
- Celtic have won two of the last three meetings and are the form favourites.
- Celtic are averaging 5.00 goals per away game in the Premiership 2026/2027 (5 in 1).
Hoops to have too much firepower for The Buddies
Celtic are rightful favourites to beat Saint Mirren FC at The SMISA Stadium, but the value here lies in the over/unders or the draw, due to the hosts' steel and structure under Craig McLeish. The Hoops are the clear pick of the bunch at 49/100, with the Buddies listed at 93/20 and the draw at 17/5, which is why Celtic to win and over 2.5 goals catches our eye in the 3-way lines. McLeish has worked wonders since taking the reigns at the Paisley club on 12 March 2026, turning the former Championship side into a much more organised and physical unit. The hosts are built on the width provided by the wing-backs and a compactness in the centre, although Henry Fieldson adds the spark in terms of creativity, chipping in with one assist in one Premiership 2026/2027 match to date.
St. Mirren are more solid than their odds
In the league table, St. Mirren are fourth with six points from two games while Celtic have started off perfect with nine points from a possible nine.
The Celtic boss Martin O'Neill has made a good start to his tenure, which began on 1 May 2026, and the 4-2-3-1 system he has implemented is all about the high press, territorial dominance and quick transitions.
His players have taken to it well and are averaging an impressive 5.00 goals per game away from home.
Celtic's last two games have been a 5-1 extra-time defeat to LASK away in Champions League qualifying followed by a 2-1 home win over Falkirk in the opening round of the Premiership 2026/2027.
The Hoops will press Saint Mirren deep into their own half on Saturday, but there will be holes for the home side to try to break through the first wave if they can handle the pressing.
Celtic can edge this one
St. Mirren have won three and lost two of their last five games, which includes a 2-0 away win over Falkirk and a 1-0 home victory against St. Johnstone before a 5-1 mauling by Rangers in the cup.
The form book suggests this is a Celtic-leaning affair, but the host's home record in the Premiership and a psychological edge to the visitors who are the better side on paper means the game should be a lot closer than the odds suggest.
Killian Phillips is the biggest threat for the St. Mirren side with three goals in two Premiership 2026/2027 matches, while the goals are flowing at the other end with Kasper Waarts Hoegh bagging three and Camilo Duran chipping in five of the 15 scored by Celtic across the last five.
St. Mirren have kept one clean sheet in one home league game so far, conceding zero goals, so the away side will have to work for their goals on Saturday.
