EVERY Old Firm game is huge, but Sunday's High Noon showdown is right up there as the Scottish Premiership title fight reaches a climax.
Celtic travel to Ibrox with the comfort of a three point advantage and a vastly superior goal difference. They can effectively afford to lose on Sunday and still be in the driving seat with one more Old Firm showdown to come at Parkhead. Not that there's a chance they will think like that.
Rangers last lost a league game at Ibrox in May 2020, almost years ago and of course, have also enjoyed an excellent recent European run with a Europa League quarter finals against Braga to look forward to next week. In Govan, they are particularly strong and the 700 Celtic fans allowed into the stadium are unlikely to make much of a difference.
However, Celtic will go into this game full of confidence. They haven't lost a league game since September and have collected a massively impressive 68 out of a possible 75 points since that loss at Livingston.
They also have the huge advantage of absolutely tearing Rangers apart in their last meeting when a first half blitzkrieg blew Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side away, with the Dutchman's tactics highly questionable that night.
How the bookies view it
Home advantage counts for Rangers who are favourites at 29/20 with bet365. Celtic will have their backers at 2/1 with Hill's and SBK have the draw at 28/13.
Recent head to heads
Celtic were far too good for a bewildered Rangers in their last meeting and the 3-0 win can be seen below. However, Rangers defeated Celtic 1-0 at Ibrox in August.
Players to watch
Aaron Ramsey was surely brought in for games like this and he's fit to play in the type of game he should take by the scruff of the neck with his pedigree. He opened his Rangers account in their last game at Dundeee and is 10/3 to score anytime.
Greek hitman Georgios Giakoumakis has scored nine goals in his last seven games for Celtic and has been in excellent form. He is 2/1 with McBookie.com to score anytime.
Anything else catch the eye?
Celtic can get the win here which could effectively clinch the title. Rangers have looked tired recently as their last gasp win at Dundee proved in their previous match and 2/1 is a terrific price for an away win.
Too many of their key players like Joe Aribo have looked off the boil recently and they have been riding their luck. Celtic will have looked at the onslaught Red Star Belgrade gave them, arguably home and away, but failed to take their chances. Celtic are unlikely to be so generous.
The Hoops were probably the better team when they lost at Ibrox in August and blew them away in the last game. Defensively, they have improved too and have only conceded one goal in their last five league games.
Ref Willie Collum has issued eight red cards already this season and has shown before he's not afraid to show his authority in these games. He's 9/4 with William Hill to send someone off again.
This Scottish Premiership match between Rangers and Celtic will be played on Apr 3, 2022 and kick off at 12:00. Check below for our tipsters best Rangers vs Celtic prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
Typical usual Celtic to win
My main focus will be Celtic corners . 1st bet is Celtic to have most corners 7/5 PP. Will post all on main wall tomorrow.