Motherwell host Celtic at Fir Park on October 11 in matchday eight of the Scottish Premiership. The visitors lead the league with 18 points from seven games, while Motherwell are ninth, 10 points behind them. Their league records point in different directions: Celtic have won six of seven, whereas Motherwell have two wins, two draws and three defeats. Both sides arrive after losses, though, adding a question to a fixture that Celtic have dominated in recent meetings.

Motherwell's Recent Form and Key Stats

Motherwell's most recent league match ended in a 2-1 defeat to Dundee on September 19. It was their third consecutive loss, leaving them with one win, one draw and three defeats across their last five matches. In that five-game stretch, Motherwell averaged 1.4 goals scored and 2.0 conceded per match. They have also been behind at half-time in each of their last three Premiership games, making a stronger start an immediate priority against the league leaders.

Across seven Premiership matches, Motherwell have averaged 1.3 goals scored and 1.6 conceded per game. That scoring rate gives them a basis to compete, but their recent defensive figures present a concern against a Celtic side averaging two league goals per match. The home advantage at Fir Park offers Motherwell an opportunity to interrupt their losing run; to take it, they will need to improve on both their recent starts and the number of chances their opponents have converted.

Celtic's Recent Form and Key Stats

Celtic opened their Premiership campaign with six straight victories before a 1-0 loss to Rangers on September 20 ended that league run. They remain first with six wins and one defeat, averaging 2.0 goals scored and just 0.6 conceded across those seven matches. Their league record is the clearest contrast with Motherwell's, but the defeat to Rangers shows that their strong start has not made them immune to a setback.

The broader recent figures are less convincing than Celtic's league record: their last five matches comprise two wins and three defeats, with averages of 0.8 goals scored and 1.6 conceded. Celtic have also trailed at half-time in each of their last three matches. That gives Motherwell some encouragement, even if Celtic's Premiership results still make them the stronger side on season form.

Several scoring patterns could matter on Sunday. Celtic have not drawn any of their last 17 Premiership matches, or their last 18 matches overall. At least one first-half goal has been scored in 19 of their last 21 matches, while each of their last 11 away Premiership games has featured a second-half goal. Those figures describe matches that have tended to produce goals at different stages, although they do not establish which team will score them.

Motherwell vs Celtic Match Analysis

Recent meetings strengthen Celtic's case. Across the last five head-to-head matches listed, Celtic have won four and Motherwell one, with no draws. Motherwell averaged 1.6 goals scored and 2.4 conceded in those fixtures, a combined average of four goals per match. Their latest meeting ended 3-2 to Celtic on May 13. Celtic have also won seven of the past eight meetings described in the match information, scoring 22 goals across that run.

The main tension in this Motherwell vs Celtic preview is between season-long strength and immediate form. Celtic's six league wins, league-leading position and head-to-head record favor the visitors, but three defeats in their last five matches make another victory less straightforward than their table standing alone suggests. Motherwell, meanwhile, have lost three in a row and conceded an average of two goals across their last five, yet their scoring record leaves room for them to contribute to the contest.

Goals are therefore a central theme. Motherwell's recent matches have averaged 3.4 total goals, based on their five-game scoring and conceding figures, while the last five head-to-head meetings have averaged four. Celtic's recent attacking return has been quieter, so their earlier six-match league winning streak should not be treated as a guarantee of another prolific display. Still, the combination of Motherwell's defensive difficulties, Celtic's two-goal league average and the scoring record of this fixture supports the possibility of another match with several goals.

Motherwell vs Celtic prediction from BetMines: Over 2.5 goals with 62% probability.