A POTENTIAL Old Firm title decider being all but ignored is unheard of in Scotland, yet Sunday's clash between Celtic and Rangers has very much been on the back-burner this week.
A Celtic win on Sunday will see them stretch nine points ahead of Rangers and they already have a vastly superior goal difference of 19. With just three games to go, it would seal the Hoops' tenth title in 11 seasons.
All the attention this week has been on Rangers' Europa League semi-final first leg where Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side narrowly went down to a late goal in Germany against RB Leipzig.
With the second leg next week and Rangers very much still in with a chance of making history, logic dictates this should be a comfortable home win for a rested Hoops side against a Rangers team exhausted from their European exertions.
But as everyone knows, firstly, logic rarely means anything in these games and secondly, that's what they said for the Scottish Cup semi-final a couple of weeks ago when a Rangers team taken into extra time by Braga actually looked fresher and more creative than the strangely subdued Hoops.
How the bookies view it
Celtic are odds-on across the board with McBookie's 10/11 about the best price for a home win. Rangers will see backers too at SBK's 33/10 with the draw at 13/5 with Paddy Power.
Recent head to heads
An extra time winner saw Rangers defeat Celtic at Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup semi-final two weeks ago as can be seen below.
The sides are finely poised this season with two wins apiece.
Players to watch
Celtic's Japanese talisman Kyogo Furuhashi has shown plenty of signs that he's approaching a return to his best. He was poor in the semi-final against Rangers, but he was far from the only one. He is 6/4 with Coral to score on Sunday.
Scott Arfield scored the winner against Celtic recently and he could start here with Rangers set to rotate. The Canadian international would love a goal on enemy territory and he is 19/4 with McBookie.com to do just that.
Anything else catch the eye?
Rangers will surely change their personnel with Thursday's massive second leg coming up against RB Leipzig, but they have plenty of players in their squad capable of doing a job anyway.
The Scottish Cup semi-final was unusually quiet and took time to ignite. But it's likely Celtic will try repeat tactics from when they blew their rivals away in the league at Parkhead and they may have too much for Rangers.
Celtic to win and both teams to score is a chunky 3/1 with bet365.
There should be goals here – Rangers could resurrect their slim title hopes with a win remember – and both teams to score in the first half at 18/5 with Ladbrokes looks too big if the handbrakes are taken off.
Both sides are good for corners and anything odds-against for 11 or more looks good, so the 21/20 with Boylesports for exactly that is not to be sniffed at.
This Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Rangers will be played on May 1, 2022 and kick off at 12:00. 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.
Hi everyone, it’s been a while since I’ve been on. Been busy with work, studying and life in general. Can’t wait for the Celtic and Rangers game tomorrow. In the semi final I had £50 on Greg Taylor first goalscorer at 100/1. I know crazy right? The £5k profit softened the blow of my beloved Celtic getting knocked out the cup. Anyway here are my bets for tomorrow.
CELTIC VS RANGERS
For the first goalscorer market I’m going for Carl Starfelt. He’s well overdue his first goal for Celtic. I’ve chased him all season and it’s unbelievable that he’s yet to score for Celtic despite going up for all the corners. He’s been asked a few times recently about scoring a goal for Celtic. He said he’s not bothered as it’s his job to defend but it absolutely must be on his mind to get a goal. I’ll back him for tomorrow and I’ll back him against Hearts. I was able to back him First Goalscorer at 66/1 and anytime goalscorer at 28/1. Those prices have disappeared online however you can still get 66/1 for first and 25/1 anytime in the William Hill shops as he’s still that price on the football coupon. I put the bet on for my brother in the shop after the price was cut online so the shop price remains.
Another bet I like the look of is Callum McGregor to score anytime from outside the box at 66/1. He likes to have a dig from outside the box and has scored a few, including against Rangers. The 66/1 is too good to pass up.
Finally looking at players to be booked. The prices aren’t great so I was looking at the red card markets. There’s definitely a sending off due in this fixture and I’ve picked a player who represents decent value. There’s a good chance this will be Allan McGregor’s last game for Rangers against Celtic. McGregor could get frustrated and could easily pick up two yellow cards. Likewise all it takes is for him to bring down the last player or kick out at someone and get a straight red. The price for Allan McGregor to get sent off is 11/1 with William Hill and Skybet but a massive 80/1 with Bet365. Sometimes the referees in these games like to balance the game out so how about the 30/1 on offer for a sending off for each team?
Recommended bets
CARL STARFELT FIRST GOALSCORER @ 66/1 (Hills)
CARL STARFELT ANYTIME SCORER @ 25/1 (Hills)
CALLUM MCGREGOR TO SCORE ANYTIME FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX @ 66/1 (Skybet)
ALLAN MCGREGOR RED CARD @ 80/1 (Bet365)
BOTH TEAMS RED CARD @ 30/1 (Paddy Power)
Good luck everyone
66/1 is Crazy price for Callum McGregor Chris . I will definitely be on him GL
Chris Guy – Welcome back mate, always nice to read your tips. Silly question, but do you think Celtic could actually lose tomorrow at all mate ? Do you feel Rangers stand a chance of winning at all is what I am saying ?
Take your green tinted glasses off Chris guy your tips are honking