Celtic vs Rangers Betting Tips
Glasgow's big two meet in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday but they do so in the unfamiliar territory of having spent Hogmanay in the shadows of league leaders Hearts.
It's the most exciting and open title race in Scotland for decades and the Old Firm are facing a stern test if they want to continue their four-decade-long duopoly on the league crown.
Celtic suffered a fifth loss in seven games under the tutelage of Wilfried Nancy as they were second-best at Motherwell in midweek, while Rangers’ win over St Mirren means it is one league defeat in 11 for their boss Danny Rohl.
The managerial pair meet for the first time in this historic fixture at Parkhead (KO 12.30), with Celtic three points in front of the visiting side.
Team news
Celtic's list of long-term absentees includes Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota, while Kelechi Iheanacho, Alistair Johnston and Callum Osmand are likely to miss out again. Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Sebastian Tounekti are at the AFCON.
Nasser Djiga is also on AFCON duty for Rangers, while Nedim Bajrami, Derek Cornelius and Oliver Antman are out injured.
Tip 1 – Rangers to win 13/5
Celtic looked in a sorry state as they lost to Motherwell on Tuesday evening, outplayed and out-thought at Fir Park in what was their 17th defeat of 2025 and a fifth in just seven games for new boss Nancy.
The Frenchman is already under intense pressure in Glasgow's goldfish bowl and another defeat could see him flushed away.
There is little to enthuse followers of the Hoops after Motherwell's pressing game left them bereft of attacking ideas in midweek.
Rangers meanwhile defeated League Cup winners St Mirren at Ibrox to close within three points of the champions, Rohl now with just one defeat in 11 league games as manager.
Last year started with an Old Firm win for Rangers and, having not lost any of the four since inside 90 minutes, the Light Blues are fancied to inflict even more misery on what is a direction-less Celtic side right now.
Tip 2 – Both Teams to score in the 1st half @ 11/4
Backing a flying start could prove profitable at Parkhead. Prior to this season, over 2.5 goals landed in seven of nine Glasgow derbies.
The Hoops defensive shape is all at sea under Nancy, with his preferred three at the back system seemingly causing lots of woes as players are being deployed out of position in a formation they don't appear comfortable with.
Under Nancy, the Hoops have conceded seven times in the first half of their seven games, while also finding the net seven times.
At Livingston last weekend, the haphazard nature of Celtic under their new boss was on full display as they traded four goals in the opening 10 minutes with their hosts in an Almondvale contest that yielded six goals before the break.
Taking both teams to find the net in the first half of this Old Firm clash looks the most solid play.
Tip 3 – Youssef Chermiti anytime goalscorer @ 19/5
Rangers' midweek win over St Mirren saw forward Youssef Chermiti delivering perhaps his best all-round performance in a Light Blue jersey.
The 21-year-old Portuguese forward laid on the second goal for Emmanuel Fernandez and was excellent in his general play and being a link for the Govan side.
"I want to give Youssef great credit - a great performance. He gives us exactly what we need. He is on the last line, he can keep the ball, he can link play, all those things," was the assessment from Rohl afterwards.
Chermiti has a goal and an assist in his last three games and with major worries over Celtic's defence, he could bag his first Glasgow derby goal now.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
