Rangers vs Celtic Prediction

Happy new year and welcome back to Scottish Premiership for another intense battle of the Old Firm derby as Rangers take on Celtic. Tearing up the league this season, Celtic will look to continue building the massive gap they have at the top of the table. Chasing them down, Rangers are in serious need of a result that would put them one step closer. The Ibrox has played host to some seriously heated clashes between the two sides, and we look forward to another instalment.

Key Stats

• Celtic have kept the most clean sheets of any team so far in the Scottish Championship
• Rangers are averaging 1.7 goals per game this season and have scored in every game they have played since October
• Celtic are unbeaten in the league so far this season

Team Previews, Form and Standout Players

Rangers are in great form coming into this game, collect three wins from their last five games and obtaining second place in the league. Moroccan forward Hamza Igamane will be looking to impress as he has turned up the heat for the Light Blues, finding the back of the net four times in his last five Scottish Premiership appearances. They have been a very strong side this season, but have Celtic pushed just too far away

Currently 14 points clear at the top of the table, Celtic go into this having yet another phenomenal Scottish Premiership campaign. No one in the league has been strong enough to defeat the mighty Celtic so far this season. Liam Scales has been unplayable so far, with four goal contributions and with Celtic only conceding four goals across 18 games, The Irish defender has proved himself to be a danger at both the ends.

Rangers Preview

Formation: 4-1-3-2

Predicted Line-Up: Jack Butland; Jefte, Robin Propper, Dujon Sterling, James Tavernier; Nicolas Raskin; Ianis Hagi, Mohamed Diomande, Václav Cerny; Danilo, Hamza Igamane

Although not rising to the level that their rivals have been putting on, Rangers have had a brilliant season so far. While the gap remains massive, anything is possible and a win in this one would really help their case. With ever-growing concerns over left back Yilmaz, Brazilian youngster Jefte is likely to start as Rangers need their strongest defence possible for this game.

Celtic Preview

Formation: 4-3-3

Predicted Line-Up: Kasper Schmeichel; Álex Valle, Liam Scalles, Cameron Carter- Vickers, Alistair Johnson; Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor, Paulo Bernardo; Daizen Maeda, Kyogo Furuhashi, Nicolas- Gerrit Kühn

Brendan Rodgers has really outdone himself since returning to the Celtic job last year. Demolishing the rest of the league last season and has cemented his side at the top of the table going into the new year with a more than comfortable 14-point gap. Resting him in their last game against Motherwell, Rodgers is sure to bring captain Callum McGregor for this game. Collecting seven goal contributions so far this season, Celtics loyal servant is enjoying his 14th season with the club.

Head to Head Stats

The Old Firm is a game packed with history but in recent years, Celtic have enjoyed much more success, winning six of the last seven meetings between the two clubs. However, the last time the two sides met at the Ibrox, it ended in a 3-3 draw with Rangers picking up a 90th minute equaliser.

Betting Tips

Celtic have dominated the league and Rangers in the last few years and Brendan Rodgers’s side are not showing any signs of taking their foot off the gas. Rangers are showing promise and potential that they could have the strength to be able to handle this Celtic side.

For this reason, our betting experts say that Draw with Both Teams To Score is the best value tip for this game. With odds at 10/3, a stake of £10 could result in a return of up to £43

Final Prediction: Rangers vs Celtic

Rangers 2-2 Celtic