Celtic vs Rangers Prediction: Hosts to draw First Blood in Sunday’s Old Firm Derby

It’s the flagship fixture of the Scottish Premiership as Celtic host Rangers in the first Old Firm derby of the season from 12:30 on Sunday.

You can watch the warring neighbours go head-to-head live on Sky Sports Main Event and follow the predictions of Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse, who arrives fresh from tipping three correct scores on the bounce. So check out his Celtic vs Rangers Predictions below...

*You can check out all of our Football Odds over at betfred.com

Celtic enjoy home advantage in Sunday’s electrifying Old Firm derby. Brendan Rodgers’ side boast a perfect start to their title defence after winning each of their opening three games and know victory on Sunday would hand them a huge advantage in the title race.

They enter with a two-point cushion over their great rivals and could make it five. Will the champions live up to expectations? Fans certainly hope so, and the team will be cheered on by a capacity crowd with no away fans inside the stadium.

Philippe Clement takes his under-fire Rangers team across the city, knowing the title race won’t be decided on Sunday, but defeat could derail the Belgian’s summer re-build.

The visitors have won two and drawn one of their opening three games but travel on the back of their most impressive win of the season. They hammered Ross County 6-0 at Hampden last time out, thanks to two goals from striker Cyriel Dessers. Can the Nigerian fire his side to a remarkable win? He certainly has the confidence.

Celtic vs Rangers Odds

Celtic’s form this season has been impressive, with the home team winning each of their three games while scoring nine goals and conceding none. They warmed up for this derby with an eye-catching 3-0 win over St Mirren in Paisley, thanks to goals from captain Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Alistair Johnston.

The Bhoys also enjoy a fantastic run against Rangers, with the head-to-head scores showing they avoided defeat in all five meetings last term, winning four and drawing one. The spare in that run was a memorable six-goal share at Ibrox after Rabbi Motondo equalised in the dying seconds of play. Betfred traders favour the home win, and you can back Celtic at odds of 8/13.

Rangers are also unbeaten in their first three, following an opening day draw at Tynecastle with back-to-back home wins over Motherwell and Ross County. A draw with Hearts in the capital isn’t a bad result, especially so early in the season, but the fact the Jambos lost their next two and are down in 10th place doesn’t inspire confidence. Rangers must be at their best to get anything from Sunday’s trip.

Last weekend’s demolition of the Staggies was much closer to what Clement is looking for from his troops, and they created enough chances to score more. The experienced Belgian will ask his men to be organised at the back, win their battles in midfield, and be brave in attack. Can they do it to deliver him a first win over Celtic? Betfred offers 4/1 on Rangers with a draw trading at 10/3.

Both teams to score

Followers of Scottish football and lovers of the Old Firm derby know anything can happen in this fixture. Rangers had a man sent off in two of the four Premiership derbies last term and know they must keep their cool in the cauldron that is Parkhead packed to the rafters with Celtic fans. We’re expecting another competitive match and a great advert for Scottish football.

In such an unpredictable fixture, we’re sticking with the stats when making our big-match predictions. These games are often nervy affairs, but the Glasgow rivals shared 14 goals in five meetings last term. Both teams were on the scoresheet in three of those matches, and we’re happy to stick with that. Back both teams to score, sit back and enjoy the fireworks.

Celtic 2-1 Rangers

Followers of our Scottish football predictions have enjoyed a correct score in each of the last three weekends, and we’re shooting for another at a great price. Sticking with the stats, we note Celtic won 2-1 in their two home games against Rangers last term and that’s worth sticking with in Sunday’s renewal.

The Hoops have kept a clean sheet in their three previous Premiership outings but face a much more dangerous opponent in their bitter rivals. Rangers are improving at the back but conceded two against Dynamo Kyiv in a recent Champions League qualifier and remain a work in progress.

Frank Monkhouse covers Scottish Football for us here at Betfred Insights. You can check out all of his work along with that of the rest of our Football Betting Tips desk on our main Football page...