Celtic vs Rangers Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Celtic vs Rangers Predictions, Lineups & Betting Tips

Match Details: January 03, 2026 | Celtic Park | Scottish Premiership | 12:30 GMT

It might be a new year, but for these Scottish Premiership sides, they still have a lot of work to do to catch up to leaders Hearts. It hasn’t been an ideal start to Wilfried Nancy’s tenure, and he comes into this game off the back of a 2-0 shock defeat at Motherwell, while Rangers head into this clash in strong form after winning consecutive games against Motherwell and St Mirren.

We are backing a high scoring affair here, with our best tip an over 2.5 goals affair, as the second Old Firm Derby of the campaign is sure to be a thriller.

Key Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals at 1.60 odds on TalkSPORT bet represents excellent value based on the tip provided by our algorithm.

This match looks enticing from an over 2.5 goals outlook. Both sides have been involved in games averaging far over 2.5 goals so far, and the last meeting was four-goal blockbuster at the same venue. Moreover, each of the last four meetings at Celtic Park have seen this market come in.

odds subject to change.

Celtic vs Rangers Predicted Lineups

Celtic XI (3-4-2-1): Kasper Schmeichel; Liam Scales, Auston Trusty, Anthony Ralston; Kieran Tierney, Paulo Bernardo, Callum McGregor, Hyun-Jun Yang; Daizen Maeda, Benjamin Nygren; Rep Hatate.

Team News: The hosts will be without both Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha who are taking part at AFCON, while Nancy will also be without a number of players through injury. These players include Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Jota, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi.

Rangers Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jack Butland; Jayden Meghoma, Emmanuel Fernandez, John Souttar, James Tavernier; Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande; Mikey Moore, Thelo Aasgaard, Djeidi Gassama; Youssef Chermiti.

Team News: As for the visiting Glaswegians, they will be without Nasser Djiga who is also taking part in the AFCON, while they will also be without Bailey Rice, Derek Cornelius, Nadim Bajrami and Oliver Antman who are all sidelined.

Celtic vs Rangers Current League Standings

A shocking start to the season led to Wilfried Nancy’s arrival when Celtic were in a situation of missing out on their first league title since 2021. They have closed the gap to Hearts to just three points as we head into the new year, but they missed a chance to draw level after suffering their fifth defeat of the season on Tuesday.

Rangers are a side who have also experienced a tough first half to the season, and after sacking Russell Martin, they have finally started to pick up some consistent points. They do sit just three points off Celtic and six off Hearts, but their underlying issue so far has been their ability to draw games but not to win them. Although they have nine wins, they also have eight draws, and if they were able to turn even three into wins, they would level with Hearts.

Celtic vs Rangers Head-to-Head Timeline

Recent Head-to-Head Results:

Through the last 15 years, these sides have met on 59 occasions. The fixture does seem to be Celtic-dominated, with them winning on 31 occasions to Rangers’ 16 victories. In the last five, we have seen some cracking affairs, but it is in fact Rangers who have won two of these, to Celtic’s one.

• November 2, 2025: Celtic 3-1 Rangers - League Cup
• August 31, 2025: Rangers 0-0 Celtic
• May 4, 2025: Rangers 1-1 Celtic
• March 16, 2025: Celtic 2-3 Rangers
• January 2, 2025: Rangers 3-0 Celtic

Celtic and Rangers: Recent Matches Analysis

Celtic Last 5 Matches:

• Celtic 0-2 Motherwell (A)
• Celtic 4-2 Livingston (A)
• Celtic 3-1 Aberdeen (H)
• Celtic 1-2 Dundee United (A)
• Celtic 1-3 St Mirren (A) – League Cup

It has been a very tricky December for Celtic, who lost five of their eight games in the month with fans already calling for Nancy to get the boot. But despite this, they haven’t really fallen out of title race whatsoever, remaining just one win off top spot. A shock loss to St Mirren in the league cup final has seemed to kick them somewhat into gear, stringing together consecutive wins since, before losing last time out to Motherwell.

Rangers Last 5 Matches:

• Rangers 2-1 St Mirren (H)
• Rangers 1-0 Motherwell (H)
• Rangers 1-2 Hearts (A)
• Rangers 1-0 Hibernian (H)
• Rangers 1-2 Ferencvaros (A) – Europa League

After drawing six of their opening eight league games, failing to win a single one, Rangers should be rather pleased to be heading into the new year just six points off top spot. Moreover, if it wasn’t for a narrow 2-1 defeat to the league leaders earlier last month, we could have headed into 2026 with all of Hearts, Celtic and Rangers level on points at the top of the table, which would have made this even more eye-catching than it already is.

Celtic vs Rangers Predictions

Our advanced algorithm analyses over 200 data points to generate these predictions with confidence in three or more goals being scored. The model factors in current form, head-to-head records, player availability, and tactical matchups.

Best Celtic vs Rangers Betting Tips

Football Park’s Best Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.60 - Recent form suggests confidence in a high scoring game. With an 80% chance of both teams to score according to our incredible in-house algorithm, this seems like a strong value option.

Key Players to Watch: Celtic vs Rangers

Callum McGregor (Celtic): The 32-year-old has the most consistent performer so far this season for Celtic, notching up an average rating of 7.47 on fotmob. On top of his three goal involvements, he has also been the first line of defence ahead of a backline which has conceded just five goals at home in nine games at Celtic Park this campaign.

James Tavernier (Rangers): Despite their early season struggles, Tavernier has continued to lead the way for the club he has served since 2015. The full back has had yet another incredible return for his side already, leading the way in both the goal and assists metrics, totalling up to seven contributions.

Celtic vs Rangers Match Facts

Referee: Steve McLean.

Broadcast Details:

UK/INT’L: Celtic TV, Rangers TV, NOW UK, Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports+ at 12:30 GMT.

Stadium Information: Located in Glasgow, Scotland, Celtic Park can hold up to just over 60,000 supporters, and this venue is expected to be packed for this clash, with this clash having much at stake for both sides.

Celtic vs Rangers: Final Prediction

Celtic 3-2 Rangers