Kick-off: 1230, 29/12/2019
Stadium: Parkhead
TV: Sky Sports Football/Main Event
Celtic can take a giant stride towards a ninth successive Scottish Premiership title with victory over bitter rivals Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday.
The Boys are five points clear of the Ibrox club, who have a game in hand, after both teams stretched their long unbeaten runs on Boxing Day.
We feel the champions have the edge so 11/10 for a home win is our opening Celtic vs Rangers prediction.
A Look At Celtic’s Betting Odds
Celtic claimed an 11th league win on the trot by beating St Mirren 2-1 in Paisley.
First-half goals from Callum McGregor and James Forrest gave the visitors control with the home side netting an 89th minute consolation through a deflected free-kick from Cammy MacPherson.
Boss Neil Lennon will be glad to have French striker Odsonne Edouard fit after the French striker was only able to come off the bench in the League Cup final win over Rangers at Hampden Park earlier in the month.
Edouard was involved in both goals against St Mirren and Lennon said: “He’s an outstanding centre-forward. I’m pretty much sure he’ll start on Sunday and he makes us better.
“He’s a threat and I like his physicality. I like his pace – he comes to life in the final third and he’s such a clever player.
“His all-round game is very good and he gives the team a lot of confidence when he plays. I thought at times he was sublime – his vision and he’s so deceptive with his feet.”
Celtic are the highest scorers in the league with 54 goals, three more than Rangers, whose 10 goals conceded is the lowest – one less than their Glasgow rivals.
Four of Celtic’s last six wins have resulted in both teams scoring although that would have paid off just once in the previous eight meetings between these sides.
But we feel that will change here and, looking at the Celtic vs Rangers odds, a home win with both teams scoring has strong appeal at 3/1.
A Look At Rangers’ Betting Odds
Alfredo Morelos climbed off the bench to score the only goal as Rangers overcame a stubborn Kilmarnock 1-0 at Ibrox.
With his colleagues struggling to open up Alex Dyer’s side, the Colombian made himself the hero within minutes of replacing Jermain Defoe as he fired his 28th goal of the season.
Steven Gerrard praised his side for refusing to hit the panic button, saying: “It’s important to tell the players before the game and at half-time to be patient, continue to believe in what we are doing, not panic or get frustrated.
“Killie set us a challenge, ‘come and beat us’, and they made it very difficult for us. We found a way, which is very pleasing.”
Gerrard added: “We are going to Parkhead in good form and good shape. We know it will be a very tough match, they have a very strong home record.
“But we played Celtic a few weeks ago and put a good show on, gave a good account of ourselves. I expect us to go there with confidence and belief we can get a result.”
Rangers have kept three successive clean sheets and have blanked opponents in six of their last eight games in the league.
But they have only managed to prevent the Bhoys from scoring just once in meetings at this venue in the last 10 years.
With that in mind, we will complete our Celtic vs Rangers betting tips by going for a 2-1 home win at 33/4.
Additional stats
Last result:
St Mirren 1-2 CELTIC – Callum McGregor, James Forrest
RANGERS 1-0 Kilmarnock – Alfredo Morelos
Head-to-head: Rangers 0-2 Celtic, Rangers 2-0 Celtic, Celtic 2-1 Rangers, Rangers 1-0 Celtic, Celtic 1-0 Rangers
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