Celtic vs Rangers Prediction: Defences set to hold firm

Seldom have Celtic and Rangers entered an Old Firm derby at such a low ebb and Saturday’s Parkhead clash may not offer too much cheer for either side.

Hearts have a three-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership title and neither Celtic or Rangers appear to have the quality to mount a constant challenge to the Jambos. The first league meeting between the Old Firm ended in a 0-0 Ibrox draw and a repeat scoreline is not ruled out at Parkhead. Below you can find my Celtic vs Rangers predictions. 

Team news

Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota are on the sidelines for the Bhoys, while Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha are away on international duty. Kelechi Iheanacho could return from injury.

For Gers Oliver Antman, Derek Cornelius and Nedim Bajrami are injured and Nasser Djiga is at the Africa Cup of Nations. Bojan Miovski is a doubt, but Rabbi Matondo is available again.

Football Odds

Today's Football Fixtures

Celtic vs Rangers Odds

Celtic are 19/20 to win the Old Firm derby and keep the pressure on league leaders Hearts. Rangers are 23/10 for a Parkhead victory and the draw is available at 5/2.

Over 2.5 goals is fancied at 4/7 and both teams to score is rated an 8/15 chance.

No goalscorer @ 14/1 

Champions Celtic have once again slipped behind Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership table and the Bhoys were poor when losing 2-0 at Motherwell on Tuesday night.

The Hoops have turned to Wilfried Nancy in a bid to improve their fortunes, but it’s just two victories in seven matches for the Frenchman.

Of course, better is expected from the champions, but with limited spending in the summer and injuries to Jota, Carter-Vickers and Johnston, Celtic’s squad looks seriously short of quality.

In seasons past, the Bhoys’ attack could be relied on to get them out of trouble, but Celtic have scored only five goals in their last four games at Parkhead.

Danny Rohl has improved Rangers’ results since taking to the dugout, but it has been a solid rather than spectacular transformation.

The Gers have hit the net only ten times in their last eight matches and the bulk of those fixtures have been far more manageable than a trip to Celtic.

Losing an Old Firm clash is never the ideal, but with Hearts at the top of the Scottish top flight, defeat would hit even harder on Saturday.

The first league Old Firm clash of the season ended in a 0-0 Ibrox draw and that outcome could click again.

A bet on no goalscorer covers a 0-0 draw, with the added insurance of an own goal.

Mohamed Diomande to be shown a card @ 5/4

Mohamed Diomande has been shown five yellow and two red cards in his 18 appearances for Rangers this season and the red-hot Celtic Park atmosphere isn’t likely to cool the midfielder’s aggression.

The Ivorian was cautioned in the Ibrox clash between the Old Firm sides earlier in the season and the combative midfield man could be in trouble again.

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