Rangers vs Celtic Prediction & Betting Tips

One of the biggest games in World Football takes centre stage in Scotland next weekend as old rivals Rangers and Celtic renew a rivalry with unsurprisingly huge stakes on the line regarding the destination of the league title.

• Celtic to win @ -200 With FanDuel
• Both teams to score @ -225 With FanDuel
• Over 2.5 goals @ -192 With FanDuel

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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The two sides residing from Glasgow have had a stranglehold over the Scottish Premiership for the last 29 years, with the league champions being either Celtic or Rangers. The last team to win the Scottish Premiership aside from the two Glasgow teams was Aberdeen in 1985.

Rangers are the team in the need of the win in this game based on the league table. The home side are the team in second having played a game less than their bitter rivals, however a win would move Rangers top with that extra game.

The hosts so far this season have accumulated 73 points from 30 games played. This averages out at 2.43 points per game, despite playing that one less game. Rangers have scored 67 goals this season – on average this leads to 2.3 goals per game which is very respectable.

The key to their league standing this season though has been their defence. Rangers have only conceded 17 goals in 30 games played, which on average is 0.6 goals conceded on average. It is worth noting also, that the team leads the table in clean sheets with former Manchester United goalkeeper Jack Butland accumulating 17 shutouts this season.

Rangers remaining game in hand over Celtic is an away trip to Dundee on the 10th of April. Should they prevail against Celtic, they can move five points clear should they also prevail against Dundee. Rangers and Celtic are separated by one goal if it comes down to goal difference as it stands.

Celtic are back under the tenure of Brendan Rodgers this season, following the departure of Ange Postecoglu to Tottenham Hotspur and the Hoops have wasted no time in adjusting to the change. The reigning champions are top of the league table, heading into the crunch game against Rangers.

Rodgers is taking part in his second spell as Celtic manager, hoping to emulate the same success he had during his first spell. The former Liverpool manager joined in 2016 and led Celtic to two domestic trebles and an unbeaten season before he left to join Leicester City. This season he has his Celtic side embroiled in a fascinating title race.

Celtic as mentioned are top of the league after 31 games played. Rodgers’ side have accumulated 2.3 points per game, the same as Rangers despite playing a game more than them. Celtic are not only the league leaders in points but also in terms of goals scored.

Offensively, Celtic have scored 74 goals in 31 games which gives them a healthy average of 2.3 goals per game. Coincidentally the same as Rangers also. Celtic does have a slightly worse defensive record than their opponents having conceded 23 in 31 games played. Six more than what Rangers had conceded.

Rangers and Celtic have met twice already this season, with the visitors for this game being the victors on both occasions. In the most recent fixture between the two, Celtic ran out 2-1 winners over their rivals who were down to ten men. Goals from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi ensured the Hoops took bragging rights in the Old Firm derby.

History favours Celtic in recent encounters in the Old Firm Derby. The visitors for this game at Ibrox, have won four out of the last five games between the two sides. The last time Rangers won this fixture was on the back end of the 2022/23 season with a 3-0 victory. Goals from Todd Cantwell, John Souttar and Fashion Sakala gave the Gers the win that day.

Rangers Team News

Rangers will be without Kieran Dowell, Oscar Cortes, Ryan Jack and Ridvan Yilmaz. Rangers have no suspension concerns heading into this game.

Celtic Team News

Celtic will be without Adam Montogomery and Liam Scales. Callum McGregor, Greg Taylor and Alistair Johnston.

The home side come into this pivotal fixture on the back of some great form domestically. Rangers have won four out of their last five games in the league, losing the remaining game against Motherwell.

In Rangers last game at home, they beat Hibernian 3-1. The hosts opened the scoring thanks top scorer James Tavernier but were pegged back immediately by Myziane Maolida. Further goals from Rabbi Matondo and Cyriel Dessers gave Rangers the win.

In those five games, Rangers have scored 13 goals – which averages to 2.3 goals per game scored by the title challengers. The hosts had a marginal slip against Motherwell though but were thankful it hasn’t impacted them as they chase down Celtic at the top of the league.

James Tavernier has undoubtedly been the main player for Rangers once again this season. The captain for the club has 23 G/A contributions this season from full back. Tavernier is currently second in the goal scoring ranks, five goals behind Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland. Since he has joined Rangers, Tavernier has contributed more than ten goals and assists in seven of his eight years at Ibrox.

Celtic have identical form heading into this game as their opponents. With four wins from their last five in all domestic competitions, the Hoops have obtained 12 points from a possible 15 available in this time.

In those five games though, they have scored more than their opponents in that time. Celtic have scored a total of 16 goals in five games, which gives them an average of 3.1 goals scored per game. Their last defeat was a 2-0 loss against Hearts, where Celtic were reduced to ten men.

In Celtic’s last game, they were 3-0 winners over Livingston away from home. Goals from Paulo Bernardo and Matt O’Riley accompanied an own goal from the hosts ensured all three points.

Matt O’Riley could be key for Celtic on matchday. The Danish international has 12 goals in the league this season and recently scored against Livingston.

This is going to be a battle of the best attack in the league taking on the best defence. We are going to give the slight advantage to Rangers being the home side and say Rangers win this game 2-1. Rangers 2-1 Celtic.

Rangers vs Celtic will be available to watch on the Peacock Network (An NBC live-streaming Platform)