RANGERS VS CELTIC: 3 OLD FIRM DERBY TIPS & A 17/1 BET BUILDER
The first Old Firm derby of the season arrives at Ibrox this Sunday with both Glasgow giants looking a tad vulnerable.
Celtic are reeling from a demoralising Champions League play-off exit at the hands of Kazakh champions Kairat Almaty.
After 210 minutes of goalless football over two legs Brendan Rodgers' men were eliminated on penalties, a result compounded by an exhausting 18-hour round trip to southern Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, the Russell Martin era at Rangers is already facing significant turbulence.
An embarrassing 9-1 aggregate Champions League qualifying exit to Club Brugge exacerbated their three consecutive draws in the Premiership, marking the club's worst start to a league campaign since before the Berlin Wall took a tumble.
With pressure mounting on both clubs, this particular derby takes on even greater significance than usual. Here’s how we see it playing out…
Tip 1 – Draw & Both Teams to Score @ 21/10
While Celtic's dominance of Scottish football has been virtually absolute for the better part of 13 years, recent Old Firm history has been far more balanced.
The last six league encounters have featured two wins for the Hoops, two for Rangers and two draws after 90 minutes, suggesting a much tighter contest than the league tables of the past decade or so might imply.
Indeed, this exact bet has landed in two of the last three derbies held at Ibrox.
Rangers have so far shown consistency only in their ability to both score and concede goals in the same match this season; both teams have found the net in all four of their domestic league and cup matches so far and Martin is coming under mounting scrutiny due to the sheer volume of opposition shots his system of play allows.
Yet Celtic’s gruelling European encounter could play a crucial role in the sides heading home with a point apiece.
Five clean sheets from six competitive games does not scream vulnerable, though it is notable that last season the Hoops conceded in five separate matches immediately following a European tie.
None of those involved the level of fatigue brought on by the extra time, penalties and extensive travel they have just endured going to Almaty and back.
Adding to the appeal of a scoring stalemate is Rodgers’ personal record against Rangers: the Northern Irishman went on a run of one defeat in his first 20 but has now gone without a win in his last three.
Celtic are also on a five-match winless run at Ibrox spanning almost two years – and there has been just one 0-0 draw in almost 14 years into the bargain.
With both teams desperate to avoid compounding their midweek misery, a score draw at 21/10 offers an attractive betting proposition.
Tip 2 – Over 10.5 Corners @ 3/4
A high corner count has become one of the most reliable trends in this fixture, with over 10.5 corners landing in all of the last seven Glasgow Derbies.
There is every reason to expect that to continue here.
Both teams favour attacking play, a fact backed up by this season's corner stats: Rangers' matches have averaged 11 corners per game, Celtic's almost 14.
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Crucially, Martin’s attack-first, possession-based style is unlikely to be shelved for the charged derby environment.
Unlike the more pragmatic approach of his immediate predecessors – Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson – Martin’s system should lend itself to an at times frantic, end-to-end affair with quick counter-attacks.
This will inevitably lead to opportunities aplenty so expect loads of goalmouth action and, consequently, a flurry of corners for both sides.
Tip 3 – Daizen Maeda to Score Anytime @ 8/5
Japanese forward Daizen Maeda has a proven track record of rising to the occasion in this fixture.
With an impressive 10 goal contributions in 20 appearances against Rangers, he has become a constant thorn in their side whether starting on the flank or through the centre.
Last season alone – when he played both positions regularly – he either scored or assisted five times against the Ibrox club.
And Maeda enters this match with a point to prove; the 27-year-old missed significant chances in both legs against Kairat Almaty, including a decisive penalty in the shootout.
Whether deployed on the left wing or as a central striker at Ibrox, his pace and relentless work rate will trouble a Rangers' defence that has shown significant weakness when pressed this term.
Couple this with his knack for turning up in the big moments domestically and Maeda is a standout candidate to find the net at any point during the match at 8/5.
Fancy all our Rangers vs Celtic shouts to land? You can combine all three tips into a 17/1 Bet Builder. Add it to your betslip by clicking here.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
