The biggest match in Scottish football is back again, as Rangers host Celtic on the 29th of August at the Ibrox Stadium to play the 426th Old Firm derby.
The Old Firm derby has typically been a difficult match to predict, as the head-to-head record suggests. The Rangers have won 166 games, while the Celtic have amassed 159 wins. The remaining 100 have been drawn. European football odds, including Rangers Celtic odds, are now on the board at top bookmakers like William Hill, Ladbrokes, and Betway. Let’s check out what to expect from the upcoming Old Firm derby.
A mini COVID-19 wave has hit the Glasgow Rangers squad, which forced several key roster figures like James Tavernier, Allan McGregor, Ryan Kent, and Scott Wright to miss their last Europa League fixture. That said, assistant manager Gary McAllister has confirmed that a few of them will be ready to face Celtic at the weekend.
It is a huge boost to the Gers, who haven’t had the best of months. They recently lost 3 consecutive matches on the bounce, including their UEFA Champions League qualifiers. However, they showed much-attacking emphasis in their last Scottish Premiership match against Ross County, with Alfredo Morelos getting back on the scoresheet. If summer signing John Lundstram – who had become somewhat of an expert goal-getter from midfield for Sheffield United – can gel with the rest of the squad quickly, Rangers should enjoy another successful season.
Rangers form: D-W-W-W-L
Rangers line-up prediction: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Aribo, Davis, Lundstram; Hagi, Morelos, Kent
The Glasgow Celtic have started their new season with plenty of promise. After last year’s disappointment, the Celtic faithful feel much better about their team’s chances this season. Manager Ange Postecoglou has quickly become a fan favourite, as Celtic have seen off almost all of their opponents thus far. Though they faltered in their first Scottish Professional Football League match to Hearts, they have more than made up for the lost ground with 2 consecutive thumping 6-0 victories over Dundee and St. Mirren.
Summer signing Kyogo Furuhashi – a Japanese forward signed from Vissel Kobe – has taken Scotland by storm and is certainly one to watch. Carl Starfelt – a Swedish centre-back signed by Rubin Kazan – has also impressed mightily in recent matches. Former Manchester City icon Joe Hart, a part of several memorable Manchester derby moments, can be a key figure in determining the outcome of the Glasgow derby.
Celtic form: L-W-W-W-W
Celtic line-up prediction: Hart; Ralston, Starfelt, Welsh, Montgomery; Christie, McGregor, Turnbull; Abada, Edouard, Furuhashi
The Old Firm derby remains one of the most hotly contested football matches throughout Europe, and predicting the event’s outcome has always been tricky. Here are 3 expert picks from the upcoming derby:
Rangers and Celtic both had tiring European away-day trips, where they were fighting for a spot in the Europa League group stage. Although neither team secured the best possible result, they did enough to progress. Both teams had to work hard for the same, which is why it’ll be understandable if neither team is at their electric selves come Sunday afternoon. A prediction of a draw is perfectly plausible under these circumstances.
Although the Celtics scored 6 goals each in their last 2 SPFL outings, they would vary of Rangers’ quality on the break if they act too exuberantly on offence. Rangers, too, will be fully aware of the threat Celtic possess in attack. It is a fixture that both teams would love to win but, more importantly, hate to lose. A little bit of caution in their approach would be deemed reasonable.
The 26-year-old Japanese winger has been in sensational form of late, scoring 7 times in his last 8 matches for Celtic. Sometimes, in Odsonne Edouard’s absence, Furuhashi has wilfully taken the responsibility of putting Celtic on the scoresheet. He will be raring to do the same in his Glasgow derby debut.
Many sportsIn-play modeLive streaming25+ sportsSuperb bonusesEasy to useVIP programLive gamesMany bonusesMany bonuses24/7 supportMobile appsLive bettingMany sportsFast payoutsGiven how early into the season we still are, both Rangers and Celtic will try their best not to fall an entire match behind their fierce city rivals. As a result, this might not be the typical intense Glasgow derby we have often expected. A draw would be a result both teams would happily accept as things stand.
Prediction: Rangers 1-1 Celtic.
The Old Firm derby is here again. Time to place your football bets today!
