Rangers v Celtic predictions: Title rivals could cancel each other out

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Rangers v Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, midday Sunday

Best bet

One or both teams not to score
1pt 11-10 Betfair, Power

Team news

Rangers
Alfredo Morelos is a major doubt after picking up an injury on international duty with Colombia. Giovanni van Bronckhorst could hand a first Old Firm start to Aaron Ramsey.

Celtic
Kyogo Furuhashi has returned to training and could play some part for Celtic. Tom Rogic is a doubt.

Match preview

Every Old Firm derby is fiercely competitive and Sunday’s blockbuster Ibrox clash promises to be even more feisty given that it could well serve as a title-decider.

Celtic hold a three-point lead over Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table, and looking at the quality of the SPL’s remaining sides it’s hard to see how the Bhoys would give up a six-point advantage should they win at Ibrox.

Another major advantage for Ange Postecoglou’s men is that even a draw would maintain their cushion, and with goal difference also in favour of the Parkhead outfit, it’s effectively a four-point advantage.

That said, if Rangers were to triumph on Sunday the gap would narrow and the pressure would be firmly on their Glasgow rivals.

The Gers have produced some memorable performances in the Europa League this season and they will be hoping they can deliver on the big occasion once more. However, Alfredo Morelos’s injury is a major blow and that isn’t going to help the Gers in their bid to break down a resolute Celtic defence.

The Bhoys have conceded just one goal in their last six matches and Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt have formed an excellent partnership at the heart of the Parkhead defence.

There’s huge pressure on any Old Firm Derby but given the league positions of the two sides, it’s going to be difficult for either team to relax and play free-flowing attacking football.

Only twice in the last seven Old Firm games have both teams got on the scoresheet and backing one or both teams not to score in Sunday’s crunch clash looks a value play.

Key stat

One or both teams have failed to score in five of the last seven Old Firm games.

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