Despite the Cup final defeat to the hands of Livingston at the weekend, I think the confidence and determination Hibs have at the moment could be a turning point, not only in this game, but with the league standings inevitably.
I think we also need to take into account Celtic will have the tie with Barcelona on their minds, and will no doubt rest a few key players in the run up to the european tie. Perhaps resting Sutton, also I expect Larsson to start on the bench.
I think that due to Celtic's usual 3-5-2 formation, with the big men at the back, Hibs will play a straight 4-3-3, with Riordan, Brown and Tam McManus being played at the front to put considerable pressure on Celtic's Balde, Varga and Kennedy. Also, I percieve hibs as to take a shot shots from distance in the hope that they can make young stand-in goalkeeper David Marshall work for his wages. Also, if Celtic decide to play a 4-4-2, Hibs can adapt and let Tam McManus drop into midfield in support of the young guns Brown and Riordan.
Celtic were one of the many good teams we knocked out during of CIS cup run. They are definately a superb side, but at this stage in the game they have other things on their minds, such as another european run. I for one hope that they really do Scottish football proud, and come away from the Nou Camp with the result we hope they get. But for now, we must turn our attention to Sunday.
If I'm being brutally honest, I think that after the draw with Motherwell, they will simply take out their revenge on Hibs.
Hibs-Mad prediction: Hibernian 0 - 3 Celtic