Verdict: Celtic win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
In what should be another incredibly exciting Old Firm derby in midweek, a high-flying Celtic will welcome defending champions Rangers to Glasgow on Wednesday night.
Celtic
Starting with the hosts, while Celtic might have initially struggled to find their feet under Ange Postecoglou, there is no doubt that the Hoops are now really enjoying life in Glasgow. With their sights firmly set on reclaiming their Premiership crown this season, the Scottish heavyweights are in the midst of what has become an eye-catching purple patch. Putting in a professional display last weekend as they picked up a 1-0 win against Dundee United on home soil, the one-time Melbourne Victory boss has seen his side win each of their last five matchups across all formats. Likewise, aside from a Europa League defeat against German outfit Bayer Leverkusen last year, Celtic are unbeaten in each of their other 22 appearances, a run that stems all the way back to the end of September. Knowing that victory on Wednesday night would see them leapfrog their arch-rivals, Celtic should be confident of laying down a real marker in Glasgow here.
Team News
Celtic look set to once again be without the quartet of Karamoko Dembele, Kyogo Furuhashi, Albian Ajeti and Scotland international David Turnbull on Wednesday night.
Likewise, defender Nir Bitton will serve a suspension and all miss out here.
Rangers
As for the visitors, while Rangers might once again find themselves leading the race at the top of the Premiership table, the defending champions have struggled to impress since bringing in new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst. Coming under scrutiny over the weekend after throwing away the lead twice and having to settle for a last-gasp point away at Ross County, the Blues know that they will face a stern task here. Now dropping points against the Staggies and Aberdeen over the past fortnight, the one-time PSV manager has also seen his side have to settle for a stalemate in three of their last four matchups away from Ibrox. However, desperate to widen their buffer in midweek, the Rangers squad should be boosted by an impressive record against Celtic. Landing a 1-0 win when the two sides faced off back on August 28th, Wednesday’s guests have won each of their last three meetings against the Hoops.
Team News
Dealing with somewhat of an injury headache at Ibrox, Rangers should once again be without Filip Helander, Steven Davis, Nnamdi Ofoborh, Ianis Hagi and Leon Balogun.
Attacking talisman Alfredo Morelos is on international duty with Colombia and will also miss out here.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off back on August 28th, Rangers picked up a 1-0 victory at Ibrox.
- Likewise, the defending Scottish champions are unbeaten in their last seven meetings against Celtic, recording six wins and a single draw.
- However, Rangers have had to settle for a single point in three of their last four away fixtures across all formats.
- Celtic have lost just one of their previous 23 matchups across all formats, a run that stems all the way back to the end of September.
- Five of the last six meetings between Wednesday’s opponents have finished with under 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
While Rangers might hold what is a hugely successful record against Wednesday’s hosts, there is no doubt that Celtic should be smelling a real chance in Glasgow here. With the defending champions having to settle for an action-packed 3-3 draw away at Ross County over the weekend, Rangers have struggled to find top gear under van Bronckhorst. Holding just a two-point buffer at the top of the table, they know that they will face a stern test against a Celtic side really flying high. On a remarkable run of form that has seen them lose just one of their last 23 matchups across all competitions, the Hoops will be looking to lay down a marker and claim their first Old Firm victory since December 2019.
Verdict: Celtic win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Unibet
