Premiership
Scotland
Celtic
Tomorrow
Rangers
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Robin's Celtic v Rangers Bet Builder 🧱 @ 4.40
While the first match of the season between the sides was scoreless, that came under different management from both clubs. This fixture has produced eight goals in the last two Premiership meetings between the clubs – four on each occasion – and this is unlikely to be a tight affair.
Across Celtic’s last six Premiership games, eight of them have produced three or more goals.
With Rangers, the figures are even more convincing, with seven of their last eight in the league generating at least three goals. Indeed, Danny Rohl’s men have been nothing if not thrilling for the neutral, with these outings yielding a stunning 43 goals at a rate of nearly 5.4 per game. This bet would have been a winner in each of the Gers’ last five league matches.
The Old Firm match is typically a fiery affair, which has been underlined by the fact that there have been 26 cards shown in the five previous matches between the clubs this season. Rangers, meanwhile, need to show a reaction to their Monday defeat, and that will mean a committed and physical showing in this encounter.
Even in normal circumstances, Rangers have been prone to picking up cards against Celtic this season. They have seen at least three in four of the five previous head-to-head meetings this term, with the exception being the 2-2 draw at the beginning of March, in which they still managed to pick up a couple of bookings.
Referee Nick Walsh was in charge of the League Cup semi-final Old Firm encounter earlier this season, when 10 cards were shown over 120 minutes – including three to Rangers inside 90.
Maeda will be set free at the front of the Celtic attack, tasked with causing a nuisance of himself to the Rangers centre backs. This will involve getting physical with the pair and taking chances when it comes to closing them down and harrying them.
The Japanese is Celtic’s most prolific foul maker in the league this season with 50, although that has resulted in only three cards. He has committed 2+ fouls in two of the three league matches against Rangers previously this season, and with this encounter set to be a particularly high-octane meeting, that figure is set to increase in this game.
While Rangers centre backs Nasser Djiga and Emmanuel Fernandez pick up 0.67 and 1.08 fouls per 90, respectively, Maeda could also be drawn to challenge Nicolas Raskin in midfield, who earns 1.65 fouls per 90.
Chermiti has enjoyed his league matches against Celtic so far this season. In those games, he has scored twice on each occasion, making the Hoops his favourite opponents. He has scored four goals from four shots on target and five total shots. Meanwhile, he comes into this match with something of a point to prove, having been muted by Hearts on Monday.
Prior to his outing at Tynecastle, the former Everton striker had been in strong form, with three shots on target each against Dundee United, Falkirk and Motherwell. In that run, he scored three goals.
Chermiti leads the Scottish Premiership with 1.64 shots on target per 90 minutes, while he is Rangers’ leading player in terms of shots on target overall with 31 in the league.
If he happens to be taken off, Bojan Miovski is his likely replacement, with the number nine posting 1.28 shots on target per 90 – making his Rangers’ 2nd-best player in this regard.