Scottish Football Tips: Celtic can storm clear of Rangers

IT'S been tight at the top of the Premiership all season but there will be no stopping Celtic if they win at Ibrox today.

Killie, Hearts and more recently Aberdeen have all made challenges but let's face it this is a title fight between the Glasgow giants.

And it could be all but over if Celtic beat Rangers to move six points clear at the top with a game in hand and a better goal difference. That's potentially a 10-point gap that would be impossible to close.

If Celtic make it eight in a row they'll look back to Boxing Day as a defining moment – victory over Aberdeen stretching their lead to three points as Rangers were being held by Hibs.

Brendan Rodgers goes into the match unbeaten against his fierce foes and I reckon he'll emerge from a cauldron unscathed.

Celtic are a biggest evens at bet365 and have won on their last five trips to Ibrox. Four of them were in the league with 12 goals scored.

Rangers are better this season but Steven Gerrard's men are dropping silly points and have several players doubtful while Rodgers will miss Tom Rogic but have most of his main men back.

Evens is maybe slightly short but Celtic seem to raise their game when it matters – like beating Killie 5-1 and the 4-3 success at Pittodrie.

Rangers are a best 29-10 at Ladbrokes while the draw pays 5-2 at McBookie. It's probably a must-not-lose for Gerrard so a point wouldn't be a disaster.

What Gerrard has in his ranks is the hottest striker in Alfredo Morelos who is 6-1 at McBookie to notch first and 49-20 at 888sport to net.

Odsonne Edouard is likely to lead the Hoops line and is 9-5 at 888sport to score but the man to back could be Scott Sinclair, fresh from his hat-trick, at 13-5 to strike at any time.

The last four meetings at Ibrox have averaged four goals and over 3.5 pays 27-10 at McBookie.

As always punters will look at card markets. The ref is John Beaton and he's flashed 29 yellows in his last seven Premiership games and shown seven reds in all competitions – Celt Dedryck Boyata was one of his victims –  including one at Aberdeen on Boxing Day.

A red always has a chance but pays no bigger than 7-4 at bet365. Cards are set too high but what about a speculative punt on Gers keeper Allan McGregor to be booked at 14-1 with bet365.

It's derby day throughout the Premiership and in the evening it's Hibs v Hearts – another one that's tough to call.

Hibs have won five in a row at home to their Edinburgh rivals but have plenty of selection of problems with Lewis Stevenson injured and Aussie trio Mark Milligan, Martin Boyle and Jamie Maclaren called up for the Asian Cup.

Hearts suffered with injury problems but star man Steven Naismith is back to give them a huge boost.

Can't see Hibs winning with so many players out so going Hearts draw no bet at 8-5 with McBookie.

Naisy marked his comeback with a goal against Accies and is 14-5 at 888sport to strike again.

Five of the last six meetings have gone under 2.5 goals and that looks the call again at 10-13 with 188BET.

Killie are just one point behind Gers and will be on many accas at 4-7 with Ladbrokes at home to St Mirren.

St Johnstone can edge out Dundee at Dens and are 21-20 at Ladbrokes while Hamilton v Motherwell and Livingston v Aberdeen are tougher to call.

In the Championship Ross County have hit top spot and can stay there by winning the Highland derby at home to Inverness at 11-13 with Unibet.

Both meetings this season have been draws and both are in good form so both to score could be the safer bet at 9-10 with sportingbet.

Second-placed Ayr lost 5-0 at QoS in September and will be out for revenge. Queens have struggled without top scorer Stephen Dobbie and the away looks good at 23-20 with Betway even though Dobbie may return from a hamstring injury.

Alloa and Dundee United have met four times with both scoring in all of them – it's 10-11 at Ladbrokes.

Raith look best bets in League One at 8-11 with bet365 at home to East Fife after ending Arbroath's unbeaten record last week.

And in League Two back Annan at Albion Rovers, Edinburgh at Berwick and over 2.5 goals at Elgin v Peterhead – Elgin's last six have gone over 3.5 in fact and that pays 29-20 at betfair.

Recommended Bets

• Celtic (19-20, 888sport)
• Hibs v Hearts under 2.5 goals (11-13, 188BET)
• Kilmarnock (4-7, Ladbrokes)
• Ross County v Inverness btts (9-10, sportingbet)
• Alloa v Dundee Utd btts (9-10, Ladbrokes)
• Ayr (23-20, Betway)
• Raith (8-11, bet365)
• Elgin v Peterhead over 3.5 match goals (29-20, betfair)

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