Rangers vs Celtic Prediction: Back the scoring draw in Sunday’s Old Firm derby

Sunday brings the first Old Firm derby of the new Scottish Premiership season as Rangers host Celtic from noon. Sky Sports Main Event is the place to watch this live on TV in the UK.

Betfred’s Scottish football writer Frank Monkhouse offers his big-match preview following a dismal midweek for both clubs in Europe and has two Rangers vs Celtic Predictions to back on the site...

Two weary rivals face off on Sunday in Govan as the Old Firm derby returns to Sky Sports. Rangers were thrashed in Belgium on Wednesday, 24 hours after Celtic were eliminated from the Champions League playoffs in Kazakhstan.

The home team enter without a win, following 1-1 draws in their opening three games. Manager Russell Martin finds himself under immense pressure just four weeks into the domestic season. The former Rangers and Scotland defender didn’t expect anything less, but knows victory on Sunday would go a long way to getting fans back onside.

Celtic played two UCL playoff legs and extra-time against the Kazakhstan Premier League champions Kairat Almaty. Despite dominating possession in both matches, Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops were beaten on penalties by a side sitting 315th in the UEFA rankings.

They drop into the Europa League as a result, and must now recover from a marathon midweek trip that was both mentally and physically draining. With the international break fast approaching, Celtic will aim to get the win before taking a well-earned rest.

Match Result Odds:

If judging Sunday’s game on form, it would be a simple away win. Rangers have been rotten since Martin took charge, taking just three of the first nine Premiership points available. Gers opened with a 1-1 draw at Motherwell, where they took the lead but conceded and were rather fortunate to avoid defeat. They then fought back from a goal down to draw with Dundee at Ibrox and St Mirren in Paisley.

Rangers fans will be glad that Old Firm derbies rarely follow the form. It’ll take a season-best performance on Sunday, but can the under-fire Bears take advantage of a travel-sick opponent? You can back the home win at 5/2 with Betfred.

Visitors boast a 100% record

Celtic entered the round sitting joint-top of the division with nine points on the board following three starts. They unfurled the league flag with a battling win over St Mirren, scoring on 87 minutes. The Hoops then went to Aberdeen and impressed with a 2-0 away win, netting once in each half. They were last in league action when hammering Livingston in Glasgow.

Several hundred Celtic fans will be packed into the corner of Ibrox on Sunday, fully confident their team will draw first blood. However, the mood will be low, and fans will be eager to vent their frustrations at a penny-pinching board they believe cost the club £40m in Champions League revenue. An away win would perk them up, and you can trust Celtic at 19/20 or sit on the fence and back the draw at 3/1.

You can bet on this match via our Rangers vs Celtic Odds page on the main betfred.com website with all the latest prices and full betting markets.

Both Teams to Score

Our first pick in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon is for both teams to score. The head-to-head stats show that bet would’ve landed you a profit in each of the previous two meetings, and in three of four. In that run, there’s a 3-3 draw at Hampden, a 3-2 away win at Celtic Park, and a 1-1 draw at Ibrox late last season.

Both teams have scored in each of Rangers' three Premiership matches, as well as in a 4-2 home win over Alloa Athletic in the League Cup. Celtic’s defence has been much better, but they did concede at home to Falkirk in the cup. Factor in Tuesday’s gruelling trip to Kazakhstan, and we have a confident bet for your Sunday accumulators.

Match Result - Draw

Looking for a bet with bigger odds attached that’ll work as a Sunday single? I’m predicting the bitter rivals to share the spoils. Half of the last four games have been all-square at full-time, with one of the spares ending 3-2 thanks to an 88th-minute winner from Hamza Igamane at Celtic Park. Fresh from Tuesday’s disappointment in Kazakhstan, Rodgers would likely see a draw as a decent result here, keeping Rangers at arm’s length.

When following this prediction, the final score isn’t important. If the match ends level, you’ll land the profits at the generous odds offered by Betfred. If you’re happy to push your luck a little further, you can chance a scoring draw.

Following Martin’s three 1-1 results and the weakness of the Rangers' defence this summer, that’s sure to attract attention. A point would certainly suit the away dressing room more than the home team.

Mystery Free Spins Offer:

What’s the only thing better than slots Free Spins? No deposit Free Spins, with no wagering requirements, that is what!

Opt in for the chance to win daily Free Spins prizes to play on our superb Casino Slots.

All you need to do is opt in via the banner below, then open a Casino game every day for your chance to win up to 50 Free Spins. How many will you get? That’s the mystery!

Frank Monkhouse Scottish Football P/L