In the first of two Old Firm instalments in the space of seven days, Rangers welcome rivals Celtic to Ibrox on Sunday, in what could prove to be a pivotal clash in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Rangers failed to build on their 4-2 win over Premiership leaders Hearts last weekend, as they required a couple of late goals to leave Almondvale with a point.
That draw against rock-bottom Livingston extends their winless run away from home in the Scottish top flight to three matches, but Danny Rohl has managed to turn Ibrox into a fortress again.
The Teddy Bears are unbeaten in each of their previous 13 matches across all competitions at their Govan base (W11-D2-L0), winning each of their past 10, including that 4-2 success over the Jambos last time out.
Whilst it was a bad weekend for Rangers, it was an even worse one for Celtic, as they conceded late on to lose 1-2 at home to Hibs, leaving them two points behind their hosts and six behind leaders Hearts – albeit they have a game in hand over both.
The Hoops also lost 1-4 at home to Stuttgart in the first leg of their Europa League playoff tie three days before that loss against the Hibees, and despite winning the second leg 0-1 in Germany on Thursday night, their wait to win a European knockout tie is extended to 22 years.
How the bookies view it: Rangers favourites
Rangers are favourites to record an 11th consecutive victory at home in all competitions, with bet365 pricing a home success at 23/20.
Celtic are 21/10 to bounce back from their defeat at home to Hibs last weekend, whilst the draw is 13/5.
Head to head: Five unbeaten in the league for Rangers
Rangers are unbeaten in each of their previous five Premiership meetings with Celtic (W3-D2-L0), including a 1-3 success at Celtic Park in their last meeting at the turn of the year.
The Hoops did manage to beat 10-man Rangers 3-1 in extra time in the League Cup semi-final in November, before losing the final to St Mirren.
Players to watch: £10 million down the drain, does Chermiti score in a big game again?
Youssef Chermiti was the hero in Rangers’ last home match against leaders Hearts a fortnight ago, as he scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 victory, meaning he has now scored four of his seven goals for the Teddy Bears against the Jambos.
The Portuguese frontman also bagged a brace when these sides last met at Celtic Park at the beginning of January, and is 21/20 at bet365 to Score or Assist on Sunday.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Rangers will be missing the injured Derek Cornelius, Connor Barron and Bailey Rice, whilst defender Dujon Sterling is a doubt.
Celtic will be without the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alistair Johnston, Arne Engels, Jota and Callum Osmand, as well as the suspended Auston Trusty, whilst Julian Araujo is a doubt.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Fernandez, Rommens, Raskin, Chukwuani, Skov Olsen, Moore, Naderi, Chermiti
Celtic: Schmeichel, Araujo, Murray, Scales, Tierney, McGregor, Hatate, Yang, Nygren, Tounekti, Cvancara
Anything else catch the eye?
Given both sides need the three points not just for bragging rights but also to keep pace with leaders Hearts, I’m expecting an entertaining encounter full of goals at Ibrox on Sunday lunchtime.
Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals paid out when these sides last faced each other at Celtic Park at the turn of the year, and a repeat pays an appealing 19/20 at Coral/Ladbrokes.
Rangers have fired in 16 goals across their previous five Premiership matches at Ibrox – scoring two or more in each of them – and I also like the 1/1 on offer at PaddyPower for them to bag another brace against a Hoops backline that has shipped multiple goals in five of their last six away matches in the Scottish top flight.
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