Celtic v Aberdeen: title chase meets top-six push | OneFootball

Celtic host Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park on Sunday, 21 December 2025, with the hosts chasing leaders Hearts and the visitors looking to gain ground on the top five.

Celtic have dominated recent meetings and won 2-0 at Pittodrie in August, while Aberdeen arrive sixth in the table.

The Bhoys enter on a dip, four defeats in their last five in all competitions, including league losses to Hearts and Dundee United, with a 1-0 home win over Dundee their only league victory in that run. The Dons are unbeaten in three league games, beating Dundee and Kilmarnock around a 3-3 draw with St Mirren.

The Hoops typically control games, averaging 70% possession and 88.13% pass accuracy this season, and their 309 open play crosses at 22.98% accuracy have helped produce five headed goals. Aberdeen average 49% possession but have been clinical, with 47.22% shooting accuracy, so may look to be selective and punish moments.

Daizen Maeda leads the hosts with six league goals, with Benjamin Nygren on five. For the Dons, Jesper Karlsson and Marco Lazetic have four apiece, with Adil Aouchiche on three.

A win would take the hosts to 35 points and could trim the gap to leaders Hearts. Aberdeen would move to 27 points and could move into the top five, strengthening their top six ambitions.