Celtic v Rangers
Scottish Premiership. Kick-Off: 12pm, Sunday Septmeber 2nd. Live on Sky Sports Football HD
RANGERS have had a great start to the season whild Celtic had a bit of a shaky start considering their standards. While Goldson and Katic looked impregnable, Simunovic, Ajer and Hendry looked unstable.
I was thinking before Rangers played Motherwell at the weekend this game could be a lot tighter than usual, although Celtic only beat Hamilton 1-0 Rangers lost goals really untidily.
When they got back to 3-2 just before half-time I thought they were going to pull away in the second half but it looked to me very much the same as the Aberdeen game earlier when they tried to hold on to what a one-goal lead.
That proved costly as Motherwell came back right at the death and to have any chance of taking the title from Celtic these are the points that matter.
Both sides will be massively up for this tie and Steven Gerrard has made a difference in a short space of time but has he closed the gap between himself and Brendan Rodgers' Celtic?
That remains to be seen, this is where Gerrard will be judged on his performances against Celtic ad let’s be honest both teams should beat the other sides in the league.
Celtic will be out to prove a point that they are still the strongest team in Scotland and Rangers will need to show more than they have done in the past few Old Firm games.
With Boyata back in the side the Celtic defence is a lot more solid and compact but Dembele, Griffiths and Edouard will prove a different threat to Goldson and Katic and how they struggled against Motherwell worries me.
Match Predictions
Kyle Lafferty's return to Rangers will be a welcome one with the fans and he duly obliged with 2 goals at the weekend he is capable of a goal against Celtic as he has shown even with Hearts earlier this season. Morelos has looked a lot sharper and fitter but both will need to be on their A game at the weekend.
I can only see this panning out one way and that's a Celtic win and a comfortable one. Celtic are as expected short at 4/6 with Rangers 4/1,
I think it all depends who Rodgers goes with up top. All 3 are capable of a goal but I feel he has been keeping Edouard back for this game and fancy him to pick up where he left off in his last Old Firm game.
If he starts consider him to score first, I think both teams will score but Celtic will come out on top by a couple of goals. I fancy a score line of 3-1.
Recommended bets
- Celtic HT/FT (6/4, bet365)
- Celtic – 1 (13-8, bet365)
- Celtic & BTTS (12-5, bet365)
- Edouard to score first if he starts or if not Dembele
- Celtic 3-1 Rangers (12-1, bet365)
I reckon there will be goals in this one. I’ll be taking a look at SkyBets Request a bets. Goals, cards and corners!
I agree , can see it being over 2.5 goals, might also look at bookings Lafferty , Morelos and Brown must be certainty’s to get booked , think there could also be a red card in this game.
Edouard to score first 7/2 @skybet
Willie Collum in charge I believe ,say no more GL
@duncanpoundcake looks set for a game filled with cards , I think there could also be a penalty too
Today’s games will have a big bearing on Sundays encounter. Celtic should coast through today and if Rangers qualify as they should it will carryon their momentum into the Old Firm tussle. Rangers face the long haul flight back and won’t touch down until Friday AM while Celtics players are tucked up in the comfort of their own homes. This could have a big effect on the game on Sunday.
However if Rangers lose and are eliminated today they will go into Sundays encounter on a low with the knowledge that defeat will leave questions being asked if the gap has really been bridged like so many Gers fans would have us believe. A defeat on Sunday will leave Mr Gerrard with 1 win in 4 league games which don’t make for good reading. I think we’ll prove too strong for our old foes but I’ll save my judgment until after today’s games
Good points bud , I think today’s games will have a big bearing on today , A 1-0 lead to take to Russia isn’t exactly great , all points to a Celtic win for me