BOOKIES are giving Rangers a better chance to beat Celtic than at any time since they have been promoted back to the top league when the two teams clash at Ibrox on Sunday.
McBookie.com are offering 5-2 for a Rangers win compared to 15-2 when the teams met back in December. Celtic are a shade odds on at 20-21 with the draw 13-5.
Paul Petrie, McBookie.com spokesman, said: “Celtic are still strong favourites for the game but it feels like Rangers are getting closer and the odds do reflect this. It will be interesting to see which way punters turn and my guess is Celtic will go off a little shorter.”
I'm not so sure as Rangers fans will feel their side has a chance after six wins on the spin.
In recent seasons I've tipped Celtic to win and on the handicaps at good prices and I can see why people will be smashing into Rangers who are as big as 3-1 at Marathonbet.
Celtic, despite some indifferent form, are hot favourites at 11-10 with William Hill, while the draw pays 27-10 at Marathonbet.
As Gers are so big I'm happy to take a chance on them not to lose at 17-20 with Marathonbet or draw no bet at 19-10.
A draw would suit Brendan Rodgers and maintain a six-point lead with a home game in hand against Dundee. A score draw is possible at 15-4 with McBookie.
Both teams should hit the target and that pays 3-4 at bet365 while over 2.5 goals is evens at Marathonbet.
If Celtic lose we have a title race for the first time in years – at the moment we don't have one because the champions are no bigger than 1-100 while Gers are 25-1.
I've even heard some Ibrox supporters talking about the Double and they are a biggest 174-1.
Murty will have several players making their Old Firm debut while most of Rodgers's star will have been through it before.
That could be crucial as experience is key and once again Scott Brown is expected to be a major player. He'll be looking to dominate midfield and has a chance of winning the man-of-the-match award.
With plenty at stake it could be more fiery than usual. In days gone by I'd have seen Willie Collum was the ref and immediately tipped a red card.
But Collum hasn't courted as much controversy this season but has shown nine red cards – two in last two matches for St Johnstone's Jason Kerr and Ross County's Craig Curran.
He has been fairly card-happy in recent weeks too with 24 in six games including nine on his last visit to Ibrox when Rangers were beaten by Hibs.
A red card to be shown pays 15-8 at Sky Bet but bookings points is set a little high at 70. Both teams to see red pays 30-1 at Paddy Power.
Hopefully there are more goals than cards but picking a first scorer isn't easy although Moussa Dembele has a claim after netting hat-trick against Rangers last season. He is 41-10 at Marathonbet to net first.
Rangers will be looking to Alfredo Morelos to break the deadlock at 15-2 with betfair and he is 13-5 to net at any time to celebrate signing a new deal.
Recommended Bets
- Rangers v Celtic draw
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- Morelos to score
- Dembele to score
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
