Rangers vs Celtic Prediction: Gers to bounce back again? Get on 8/1 shot

There can rarely have been a more critical Old Firm fixture in recent years than Sunday’s Scottish Premiership encounter between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox (12:00 GMT, Sky Sports Football).

It is a curious sight to find the traditional title rivals sitting second and third at this stage of the season, and defeat for either could spell the end of their challenge for top spot. Read on for my Rangers vs Celtic predictions, the full team news and Betfred’s match odds.

Rangers vs Celtic Odds

Following their all-action 4-2 win over leaders Hearts a fortnight ago, Rangers are favourites to make it two huge victories on the bounce on home turf.

The Bears are 23/20 for the three points, with Celtic 21/10 to leapfrog their neighbours into second spot.

It’s 5/2 about the draw, and the 8/15 price for Both Teams to Score implies a 65.2% probability of the two keepers being beaten.

Today's Football Fixtures

Rangers & BTTS – Yes @ 13/5

Both of these sides look vulnerable. They look dangerous too, but their huge games of late have spoken to the ability to rack up goals at both ends of the pitch.

Rangers beat Hearts 4-2 in an enthralling duel just two weeks ago, while Celtic earned a 2-2 draw against the leaders in a similar slugfest at Tynecastle a few weeks earlier.

And when this pair last met there was that Youssef Chermiti-inspired 3-1 comeback win for Rangers in a match which could easily have seen the Bhoys go into the break four or five goals ahead.

There is also the situation with the two goalkeepers, where Jack Butland has been largely impressive but prone to the odd rick and his counterpart Schmeichel having been so far short of his career-best that it is likely Sinisalo will get the nod here.

When it comes down to it, I can’t see Rangers not winning given their record of nine wins and one draw in 10 home league games under Rohl. But nor do I see Celtic going down quietly, so the 13/5 here is punter-friendly.

Football Odds

Rangers Win From Behind @ 8/1

Rohl is the type of manager whose approach it would have been interesting to see back in the days of three substitutes.

Since his days at Sheffield Wednesday, he has always talked about having ‘starters and finishers’ rather than substitutes, and he has empowered his five replacements to have a real say in changing games.

In five league matches in which his Rangers side have fallen behind, they have gained eight points. That includes the double-comeback in the 4-2 win over Hearts and a response to a two-goal deficit at Livi last week.

And back at Wednesday last season his Owls picked up six wins and a total of 27 points from losing positions, as well as bouncing back to get something out of three cup matches.

So it’s nothing new for the German to make important changes at critical times, and he succeeded in doing exactly that in the Parkhead meeting in January.

That makes the 8/1 for this one to come in again very appealing.

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