There is no bigger clash in the world than the Old Firm Derby and Celtic take on Rangers again in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
League leaders Celtic are 16 points ahead of Rangers going into this fixture and will be looking to extend their lead. Meanwhile, Rangers will be aiming to close the gap to 13 points.
Rangers come into this game off the back of a gruelling encounter against Fenerbahce on Thursday. They needed extra time and penalties to overcome the Turkish side after losing 2-0 at Ibrox.
Celtic, meanwhile, will be fully refreshed as they have not played since they defeated Hibernian 2-0 in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals last Sunday.
CELTIC VS RANGERS PREVIEW
With only nine games left in the campaign, a win for Celtic will virtually guarantee them the Scottish Premiership title. They would have a 19-point gap with just 24 points left to play for.
Brendan Rodgers’ men have only lost twice in the league all season and have not lost any of the last eight Old Firm matches at Celtic Park (W6, D2).
Despite their disappointing season, there is still hope for Rangers as they ran out 3-0 winners against Celtic back in January.
This will be Gers manager Barry Ferguson’s first Old Firm game in the dugout. He’ll be determined to put in a good showing. History is not on his side though. You have to go back through the previous eight Rangers managers to find the last one who won his first match in charge against Celtic in all competitions. This was Ally McCoist in 2011.
Looking at the team news, Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo is likely to miss the game through injury, with James Forrest expected not to feature either. Jota should play, while Liam Scales is expected to be fit too.
John Souttar, Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterlin all played for Rangers in midweek. Rafael Fernandes missed the game but is available again, while Neraysho Kasanwirjo is injured.
CELTIC VS RANGERS PREDICTIONS
Celtic Win
Celtic have been the team to beat in the Scottish Premiership this season, while Rangers go into this game after extra time and penalties against Fenerbahce in midweek. Celtic should be too strong.
Draw
Derbies are often tumultuous affairs where form goes out of the window, so a draw is certainly possible. The last game at Celtic Park between the two sides, in the Scottish League Cup in December, ended in a 3-3 draw.
Rangers Win
Following their 3-0 success at Ibrox in January, Rangers are looking to win back-to-back league derbies for the first time since August 2021. They will be determined to try and halt their bitter rivals’ procession to the Scottish crown too. Away fans have been allowed back into the ground for the first time in two years. This could make the difference.
CELTIC VS RANGERS – BETTING TIPS
Celtic Win
Celtic will be desperate to take one step closer to the title by beating their local rivals. Meanwhile, Rangers will likely be tired following their midweek exploits. Add to this the passionate home support and Celtic should win comfortably.
Over 2.5 Goals
There have been over 2.5 goals in the last three encounters between the two sides while Celtic (87) and Rangers (59) are the league’s top scorers.
There have been 30 goals in the last 10 meetings between the two sides, an average of 3 goals per game.
First Goal – 0-15 Minute Interval
Seven of the last 13 Old Firm derbies in the Scottish Premiership have seen the opening goal scored in the first 10 minutes. Whichever side strikes first has gone on to win the game in seven of the last eight league derbies.
CELTIC VS RANGERS – HEAD-TO-HEAD AND KEY STATS
There have been 444 encounters between the two sides, with both sides winning 170. There have been 104 draws.
Celtic have not lost any of their last eight home games against Rangers (W6, D2).
Celtic have won all of their last five home Old Firm derbies in the league. They will be hoping to get six wins in a row for the first time in their history.
Celtic have won 19 of their last 20 home league games, drawing the other.
Rangers have lost two of their last three league games. They are looking to avoid two straight defeats for the first time since March 2018.
