Celtic vs Rangers Tips: Old Firm set for Hampden showdown
The second Old Firm of the season takes place this weekend, featuring two brand new managers in the dugout.
Indeed, Danny Rohl and Martin O’Neil (yes, you read that correctly) will lead out Rangers and Celtic respectively at Hampden Park for a League Cup semi-final clash this Sunday.
History has already been made, with it being the first time both sides of the Old Firm have replaced their managers mid-season. Rohl will be managing his first clash against Celtic, but O’Neil has plenty of experience in this fixture.
Between 2000 and 2005, he led Celtic to 13 victories against Rangers, including seven in a row between 2003 and 2004.
With both teams struggling this season, a win at Hampden could be the catalyst for rejuvenation ahead of the winter months.
Team news
Celtic will be missing Cameron Carter-Vickers and Jota, with the duo out long-term.
Alistair Johnson suffered an injury setback which could also see him miss this clash.
Positive news comes from the fact that both Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho could be set to return to the starting XI this weekend.
For Rangers, both Rabbi Matondo and Dujon Sterling continue to be absent. Aside from that, there are no current injury problems in Rohl’s squad.
Connor Barron picked up cautions in both previous matches of the competition, meaning he is suspended for the semi-final.
Tip 1 – Both teams to score @ 12/25
Both teams have scored in six of the previous 10 meetings between these two clubs since December 2023.
Given that the new managers in charge will be looking to assert their dominance, both teams will surely be going all out on Sunday afternoon.
Defensively, neither Rangers or Celtic have been great this season. Indeed, the Ibrox side have conceded 30 goals across their 21 games so far.
Although Celtic’s record of 13 goals against is far better, their defence was exploited in recent defeats to Dundee and Hearts.
As such, expect both teams to find the back of the net at Hampden.
Tip 2 – Under 3.5 goals @ 3/5
Old Firm matches have a history of being chaotic, and featuring plenty of goals.
The last two meetings between the sides, however, have seen only two goals scored. A 1-1 draw at Ibrox in May before a drab 0-0 draw earlier this season at the same venue.
Since the start of the 2021/22 season, only six of the 22 matches between these two rivals have seen four or more goals being scored.
With it being a cup semi-final, there might not be a lot between the two clubs.
Tip 3 – Draw @ 3/1
When these sides met in the League Cup final last season, the game finished 3-3.
Celtic did go on to win on penalties, however, but it was the first of three draws between the clubs in 10 months.
As mentioned, the last two games were stalemates. This season, Rangers have drawn seven games, while Celtic have shared the spoils on five occasions.
It is extremely rare to find both teams struggling this badly at the same time. For this reason, it is difficult to pick a winner from the clash at Hampden and a draw at 3/1 looks generous indeed.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
