As the weekend draws near, Scottish football enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the clash of the titans: the Old Firm derby.
This weekend’s showdown holds even greater significance as it could potentially tilt the scales of the Scottish Premiership title race. With Rangers trailing Celtic by a mere point but possessing a game in hand, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Let’s delve into the two sides, starting with the title favourites, Rangers.
Gers on course for historic victory
Philippe Clement’s Rangers have been a force to be reckoned with this season. The Gers have been on quite the domestic run since their last meeting with Celtic and are showing no signs of slowing down as they head into this game as the 6/5 favourites. Few games are affected by home advantage as much as this one, with the Rangers fans certain to play the 12th man role for their side.
Sitting just a solitary point behind Celtic, with a game in hand, the anticipation among the Rangers faithful is palpable and they still hold the cards in the title race as far as the betting is concerned, with Rangers 4/7 favourites for the title. Spearheaded by the prolific Cyriel Dessers, Rangers have a striker they can rely on which was not the case with red card prone Alfredo Morelos in recent years. However, with 13 goals, Dessers is just their second highest goalscorer as set-piece specialist right-back James Tavernier has found the back of the net a whopping 15 times in the league so far, as well as providing eight assists.
From a Rangers angle, Tavernier is a tempting 5/2 to score anytime, whilst that can be combined with a Rangers win for a well-priced 17/4 double. Should the Englishman add a couple to his tally he will surely shorten in the betting to be the league’s top scorer, for which he currently sits third-favourite (16/1) behind Hearts’ Lawrence Shankland (1/16) who finds himself on 20 for the season.
Celtic can seize the opportunity
For Celtic, this Old Firm derby represents more than just a clash of rivals; it’s a battle for supremacy and redemption. Brendan Rodgers’ men find themselves perched atop the Premiership standings, albeit precariously. With Rangers breathing down their necks and the title race hanging in the balance, Celtic can ill afford to let this opportunity slip.
Celtic being ahead with the title still out of their hands adds an extra layer of jeopardy to this game, with their fans certainly not wanting their side to pass up the opportunity to put Rangers to the sword and open up a four-point gap atop the table.
Matt O’Riley has been Celtic’s go-to for goals and assists this season, racking up a combined total of 23, whilst Kyogo Furuhashi has also chipped in with 10 goals including his screamer in the reverse fixture.
Celtic are underdogs both for this fixture (19/10) and for the league title (5/4), but that certainly won’t be likely to show in their performance as their fans will want them to take the game to Rangers.
This game is sure to provide a feisty encounter with goals very much on the agenda, it certainly is not one to miss.
