Ibrox, Sunday, 1pm, live on Sky Sports 1
SIX days after beating them in the League Cup Final, Kilmarnock did Celtic a turn.
They beat Motherwell in the SPL and it means Neil Lennon's side will clinch the title by winning at the home of their greatest rivals Rangers.
It's a dream scenario for all Celtic fans but a nightmare prospect for police who will be out in force after madness and mayhem the last time a championship was decided in an Old Firm encounter in 1999.
Celtic are no bigger than 1-1 to beat Rangers with some bookies making an away side favourite in an Old Firm clash for the first time.
Rangers will look massive to their fans at 3-1 with Blue Square but remember they have lost three in a row at home – although never four in their 140-year history.
Ally McCoist's men are also boosted by the return of their entire defence, Sasa Papac, Steven Whittaker, Dorin Goian and Carlos Bocanegra.
However, it's difficult to see past Celtic who will be hurting after missing out on a chance to win the Treble. The Killie defeat is their only one in 25 games and I reckon they'll pick up at least the point they need to start the party.
Three players were red-carded in that 1999 showdown and six have been sent packing in the last seven derbies. A red at Ibrox pays 7-4 with BetVictor and none is 8-11.
William Hill offer 7-1 on an action-packed encounter that sees both sides score, a red card flashed and a penalty awarded.
For goals I'd consider Joe Ledley at 14-1 with bet365 or Scott Brown at 12-1 (various) with a doubt over Gary Hooper. Ledley any time is 9-2 at bet365 and BetVictor and Brown any time is 9-2 at Skybet.
If you fancy a Rangers player to score first best bet could be Andrew Little at 10-1 at Ladbrokes.
Recommendations
Celtic
(1-1, various)
Red card shown
(7-4, BetVictor)
Ledley to score
(9-2, bet365, BetVictor)
You have to really fancy a booking before the
22nd minute 5/6 with Bet365.
So much at stake and tensions will be running high and some players, McCulloch,Whittaker, Brown, Stokes, will just not be able to control their emotions.
Chris I also like a penalty to be scored by either Rangers 9/1 Bet365 and Celtic 7/1 Blusquare.
A draw is no good to Rangers so will be looking to attack leaving spaces at the back for Celtic to exploit.
Both to score and over 2.5 goals maybe value
Thoughts?
Craig, it’s a pretty good shout. Atmosphere will be red-hot and ref will struggle to keep his cards in his pocket. Hopefully there will be some good football along with the mayhem and there should be goals.
Booking before 22nd minute at 5/6 looks a steal. Both to score is a free one.
Paul that’s not right mate. Celtic need all 3 points to win the league at intoxicating. A draw is not good enough. This was confirmed on post match superscoreboard today.
5/6 for first booking is buying money I think. Especially if Celtic get an early goal. I would have expected that price to be about 1/2 to be fair. Only danger is because the match is so hyped up the ref might try and keep his cards in his pocket for as long as possible as his first card might start things getting out of control. I think Celtic will start the match all guns blazing.
Chris, yeah you’re right a draw means Celtic can still be beaten on goal difference so won’t officially be champs. Earlier on the radio they said Celtic just needed to beat Motherwell’s result but they were forgetting Rangers can equal Celtic’s points total if they win their remaining games after this and Celtic lose all of theirs.
Rangerscwill be happy with a draw cos as I said this will prevent Celtic from winning the league at ibroxcwhochcwill be their main objective. I believe they would be just as happy with a draw as they would a win
Excuse my iPhone predictive texting lol
First goal 46-60 mins 18/1
61-75 mins 28/1
76-full time 33/1
Pretty good if it’s a tight game for first half. What do you think Paul?
Chris, the odds aren’t bad to be honest. However, you’ll be in a sweat for the first 45.
Paul my friend, our friend Paddy Power are at it again!! Looking for the best value I placed a bet of £100 on Scott Brown to score the firs goal with Boylesports at odds of 12/1. I chose Boylesports because they will refund losing first scorers if he scores the second goal.
I then went online to place a bet of Scott Brown last goalscorer with paddy power. The reason for choosing Paddy Power was because they have a match special refund on also. Anyway I tried to place a bet of £50 last goal at odds of 12/1 and i got a message on the screen saying that maximum stake for this market was £3.26!!! I gave them a phone and they said hold the line. They came back and told me that the maximum stake I could have was £5. I told them to shove it. It’s getting beyond a joke now.
Chris, I’ll try again to see if Paddy Power will comment on this.
Here are my bets for old firm.
£50 Celtic 2-0 @ 10/1 with william hill
£50 Celtic 2-1 @ 10/1 with Ladbrokes
£100 Scott Brown First Goal @ 12/1 with Boylesports
£50 Scott Brown Last Goal @ 12/1 with Boylesports
£50 Wanyama to score anytime @ 10/1 with Bet365
£10 Wanyama to score first goal @ 28/1 with Bet365
£10 Wanyama to score last goal @ 28/1 with Bet365
£50 Celtic to score a penalty @ 7/1 with Blue Sq
£10 Celtic 2-0 (Scott Brown) @ 90/1 with william hill
£10 Celtic 2-1 (Scott Brown) @ 80/1 with Ladbrokes
£5 Celtic 2-0 (Wanyama) @ 150/1 with Ladbrokes
£5 Celtic 2-1 (Wanyama @ 175/1 with Ladbrokes
£400 placed and hopefully i will profit.
Good luck everyone whatever you choose to do.
I think the time of first booking unders offers outstanding value. Well flagged up Craig! Nothing is a cert but if you keep hitting value then you’ll profit in the long run.
Chris your bets are very one sided. It’s s cliche but expect the unexpected in an OF derby. Maybe cover something rangers wise?
The only thing i could cover rangers is that they will not be eating ice cream and jelly but i cant seem to get a price.
Talking about beine one sided ive just went menatal and stuck £400 on Celtic -1 goal at 11/4 with Paddy Power!!
I’ll be marking my comments on here later if i win. If i lose i drink more beer.
Chris, it’s right to say anything goes on an Old Firm game. I’ve tipped Celtic but not with enough confidence to go “mental”. Most of my funds will be targeted on the Euro card.
Well Iv got the same feeling I had yest about the Chelsea game, I’m going to plump for a score draw in the old firm. Could b a backs to the wall performance by Gers but it is a derby after all, as we all know form goes out the window. I reckon Ally will have his troops right up for it as will Lennon. Should b feisty!!
Would rather bet sending off at 7/4 than booking before 22nd minute at 5/6 sometimes these games take a while to get going and refs dont like to book to early but good luck all.
Hope you were all on sending off GET IN. :)
John, to be honest it was about the only thing I was sure would happen. As I said anything goes in the Old Firm game and the sending off means Celtic are really up against it. Had a look at first-half red card which was 7-1 at Paddy Power but jusy went for the straight red.
Agreed Paul very hard to predict winner in an old firm game but always high chance of red card and 7/4 seemed good price to me, was only 11/10 red with blue square.
Should have taken those green tinted glasses off before placing your bets Chris.
Its ok I’ll settle for Celtic scoring the penalty
You must have been cursing Rogne with his late contribution.
£400 back off a £800 stake. Ouch the beers will be geting hard chris. Always another day mate.
bet ye even in the bonkerest of bets naebody would have went for that i today score wise, a guess without havin a butchers at the odds would have been at least 100/1 taking into account you could have had the home team at 3/1
Did you get any up chris hahahahaha.
I had twenty on Aluko 1st goal and 3-1 Gers…nearly :-(