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Celtic v Rangers
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Kick Off: Saturday 30th December at 12:30
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Competition: Scottish Premiership
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Watch Live: Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports Main Event
Saturday’s action brings us the Old Firm derby in Scotland with Celtic v Rangers. Along with our bet builder tips for this game, the site includes plenty of expert SPFL accumulator tips for you to get your teeth into and our consistent Scottish Football betting tips are sure to provide value bets over the festive period and into the new year.
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Celtic host Rangers in the Old Firm on Saturday in what appears to be a pivotal match in the destination of the Scottish Premiership title.
Although the Hoops lead the table by five points, their visitors have played two fewer games, so the winner of this encounter will be thrust into the driving seat of the race to become champions.
Rangers are the team carrying the momentum into this match, despite being second and fighting injury problems. The Gers have not lost under Philippe Clement and have enjoyed a seven-match winning streak, which includes victories away against Hearts and Real Betis.
On the other hand, Celtic have been more laboured in recent times. Brendan Rodgers’ side have been incredibly wasteful in front of goal lately, and while they come into this encounter after successive wins over Livingston and Dundee, there is a certain degree of pressure on the Parkhead side after suffering losses against Kilmarnock and Hearts already this month.
With much riding on this match, it promises to be a highly competitive affair.
Celtic v Rangers Cheat Sheet
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⚽ Match stats: Rangers provide value option in fascinating battle
Celtic hold the upper hand in terms of the Old Firm rivalry in recent times. The Hoops have won four of their last five games against Rangers, with the exception a 3-0 defeat late last term when the title was already won.
But this will be Philippe Clement’s Old Firm bow and the signs are that Rangers have stepped up a level in terms of their play and their mentality under the Belgian manager. The Ibrox club are undefeated in 16 matches under their new boss, winning 13 of these.
Celtic’s favouritism is easy to understand given their strong head-to-head record against Rangers and their home advantage, plus the fact their squad is in much better shape than their opponents. But the Hoops also played in midweek and look like a team seeking a little extra spark.
Given Rangers’ defensive solidarity under Clement and Celtic’s lack of form in front of goal, it’s hard to predict a high-scoring game, but what should transpire is a fascinating battle between two closely-matched rivals.
Predictions:
⚽ Rangers double chance @ 1.67
🎯 Shooting stats: Goldson an interesting wildcard
Connor Goldson may not be a name that instantly springs to mind for shots on target for a Rangers bet builder, but the centre back is good value at 4.0. Celtic have conceded more than 28% of their goals this season from corners, and this will be something Rangers try to exploit via the defender in this encounter. Interestingly, 28% of Rangers’ corners this season have led to an effort on goal.
Looking at the more orthodox threats, the Gers will naturally see Abdallah Sima as their chief menace. Sima has scored more goals from open play than any other Rangers player and has the second-highest shot count in the Premiership this season behind Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland. He has 4.19 shots per 90.
Celtic, meanwhile, have Luis Palma and Matt O’Riley as their most threatening players in terms of volume of shots. Both are in the top five in the Premiership in terms of shots per 90 minutes.
Palma, who has hits 4.19 per 90 and leads Celtic with 1.62 on target per 90, could be the leading threat in this game. Rodgers likes to get his wingers isolated against the opposition full backs, and the summer arrival should see plenty of the ball in his first home Old Firm encounter. Look for him to either take on James Tavernier and get a shot away, or to cut the ball back to O’Riley to unleash an effort at goal.
Predictions:
⚽ Luis Palma to have 1+ shots on target @ 1.57
⚽ Abdallah Sima to have 1 + shots on target @ 1.67
⚽ Connor Goldson to have 1 + shots on target @ 4.0
🛑 Fouls stats: Sterling offers high value
Dujon Sterling is the man who looks best value in the foul stats, with the full back set to be employed in a central midfield role again due to a lack of bodies. Sterling committed two fouls against Motherwell at the weekend, and against a Celtic team whose midfielders are liable to see more of the ball, there will be plenty more opportunities for him to make a defensive error. He already averages 1.94 fouls per 90, so the value on him looks excellent.
Similarly, Abdallah Sima boasts a foul count of 1.94 per 90 and the winger could easily commit another couple of indiscretions in this match. He presses hard out of possession but can be clumsy, particularly when his opponent has his back to him, and that is liable to lead to him giving away a free kick or two in this encounter.
On the Celtic end, Greg Taylor at left back is the player that Rangers may target as a weak link. Ross McCausland is a player who loves to dribble at his opposing number while James Tavernier is liable to overlap down that channel, which is where the Hoops concede many of their goals. Look for Taylor and Luis Palma to be called into plenty of action, which in turn is likely to see a high foul count.
Predictions:
⚽ Dujon Sterling to commit 2+ fouls @ 3.10
⚽ Abdallah Sima to commit 2+ fouls @ 2.10
⚽ Greg Taylor to commit 1+ fouls @ 1.33
* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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