CELTIC and Rangers lock horns in the first Old Firm clash of the season on Sunday lunchtime.
With both clubs frantically trying to do business in the transfer markets, it could be quite the debuts for some of the new faces.
Celtic have every reason to go into this bringing with confidence and of course they will be helped by the fact that once again there will be no away fans in this fixture after another row between the clubs delayed their return.
The champions have started in imperious fashion this season and they have quite clearly not had to cruise out of second gear in their four games they have played so far this season.
They have crushed Kilmarnock, Hibs home and away and navigated through a potentially trick encounter in Paisley last week with a stroll in the park against St Mirren.
But Rangers' rocky start got something of a boost last week when they romped to a 6-0 win against Ross County at Hampden and they have made all the right noises.
However, as Rangers fans know only too well, that has been something of an unfortunate trait recently and they have failed to back it up.
How the bookies view it: Hoops are punters' pals
Celtic's price has plummeted all week and they are currently as short as 6/10 and could even go off at 1/2. You can still get 8/13 with McBookie.com.
Rangers are on the drift and out to 4/1 with UniBet. The draw is 17/5 with Ladbrokes.
Recent head to heads: Celtic on top
Part of the market's confidence in a Celtic win is last season's five meetings where Celtic won four of them and drew the other culminating in a last gasp Scottish Cup Final win.
Rangers have won just one of the last dozen Old Firm encounters and that was a meaningless game at Ibrox when Celtic had already won the title.
Players to watch: Maeda a made man
Celtic's Japanese wide boy Daizen Maeda must appear in Rangers captain James Tavernier's nightmares because he's given him so many problems over the past two seasons and he loves a goal against them too. He is 9/5 to score anytime with Paddy Power.
Cyrille Dessers has got off to a flying start this season with five goals in six games. The Nigerian international is 5/2 to score anytime with Ladbrokes.
Predicted line-ups:
Celtic look close to a full squad with only defender Maik Nawrocki out.
Rangers should have Robin Propper back in their squad with Oscar Cortes a doubt.
Celtic: Schmiechel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, Hatate, McGgrogor, Bernardo, Kuhn, Kyoko, Kuhn.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Propper, Souttar, Jefte, Barron, Sterling, Cerny, Diomende, Matondo, Dessers.
Anything else catch the eye?
Celtic continue to look levels above anything else in Scotland and that includes Rangers too. Of course, the loss of Matt O;Riley for £30 million is significant, but they barely missed him last week.
Rangers really seem to have something deep in their psyche against Celtic certainly recently where they look beaten before they kick off, especially at Parkhead.
All of Celtic's three wins in a row against Rangers have seen them concede though and with Brendan Rodgers' side being as short as they are, the value call seems to be another Celtic to win and both teams to score at 7/4 with bet365.
Celtic were leading in all four of their Premiership games last season at half time and Rangers seem to have a real problem starting slowly. Back Celtic to win half time and full time at 6/4 with McBookie.com.
The hosts have won 25 corners in their first three league games, with two of them away and Rangers 18, with two of those games being at Hampden.
Back them in the corners handicap at -3 at 11/10 with bet365.
This Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers will be played on Sep 1, 2024 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Celtic vs Rangers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
