I’m really attracted to the odds on offer for Celtic’s Daizen Maeda to get on the scoresheet on Sunday afternoon. The Japanese forward has become a real talismanic figure for Celtic, scoring a career-best 33 goals last season. That goal return is made all the more impressive by the fact that Maeda also chipped in with 12 assists for good measure. 

Maeda will have a huge part to play for Celtic again this season, and he looks well placed to open up his account at the first time of asking against St Mirren  - a side that he scored against back in March. 

While the Saints have punched well above their weight in recent seasons to become top-six regulars, they failed to keep a clean sheet in 31 of their 38 league games last season. It’s also worth noting that Stephen Robinson’s side conceded two or more goals in 12 of their 18 top-flight road trips last term, making Maeda the prime candidate to exploit the visitors’ defensive vulnerability. The touch of insurance provided with SBK’s Fresh Legs feature also adds to the appeal of siding with this selection.

I fully expect St Mirren to collect a minimum of two cards at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon. Stephen Robinson’s side led the way in terms of ill-discipline in the Scottish Premiership last season, collecting an average of 2.53 cards per game. What’s more, that average increased to a shade over three cards per 90 when the Saints were playing away from their Paisley home. 

Given the calibre of opposition that they will be coming up against on the opening weekend of the season, St Mirren may have no choice but to lean on the game’s dark arts. That was certainly the case in this fixture last season, with the Saints collecting multiple bookings in three of their four meetings with Celtic.

On top of all that, Celtic are very adept at drawing cards and fouls from their opponents. In fact, Rodgers' side were reeling in an average of 2.22 cards per 90 from their Scottish Premiership foes last season.

Given the intensity that Celtic attack with, particularly at home, I’m more than happy to side with Over 10.5 corners during this contest. The Hoops’ Scottish Premiership matches last season were generating an average of 11.82 corners per game. As for team corners per 90, Brendan Rodgers’ side averaged a league-high 8.82 in the top-flight last term. 

Celtic have also shown on several occasions that they are capable of covering high corner lines on their own, hitting 14 against St Mirren on the final day of last season. In fact, three of the four meetings between the pair last season produced an overall corner count of 11 or more.

While Rodgers’ hosts should rack up the majority of the corners during this clash, St Mirren could also contribute with a few of their own - Stephen Robinson’s side have hit exactly three corners in two of their previous three meetings with Celtic.