Free tips Scottish Premiership: Rangers v Celtic predictions (12.15pm, Saturday)

RANGERS VS CELTIC PREDICTIONS, BETTING TIPS AND MATCH PREVIEWS

Saturday 31st December 12:15, Ibrox Stadium. Live on Sky Sports 1

RANGERS VS CELTIC PREDICTIONS

ASIAN HANDICAP

Rangers +0.75 at 10/11 with bet365

TOTAL GOALS OVER/UNDER PREDICTION

Under 2.5 Goals at 23/20 with William Hill

REASON FOR RANGERS VS CELTIC BETTING TIPS

An Old Firm derby to see out the year should produce a few early Hogmanay fireworks in Glasgow, even if the result of the match will have precious little bearing on the destination of this season’s title.

With Celtic being 16 points clear and with a game in hand, it’s safe to say, even at this relatively early stage of the season, that Brendan Rodgers’ charges have the Scottish Premiership title in the bag. They’ve quite simply blown the competition away in the opening half of the campaign.

The Bhoys are not only unbeaten in domestic football this season, but they are currently on a 14-match winning run in the league, with a 2-2 draw at Inverness Caledonian Thistle back in mid-September being the only league points that they’ve dropped in their league campaign to date.

Rangers are 2nd in the table and going along nicely enough after their four year absence from the top-flight, but the gulf in class between Celtic and the rest has been clear for all to see this term. That said, Rangers are in pretty decent form themselves too, having lost just one of their last 11 Premiership games since going down to a late Moussa Dembele goal in their 1-0 defeat to Celtic in the League Cup semi-final in October.

It’s also worth noting that Rangers are unbeaten at Ibrox in 10 Premiership matches this term and getting one over their city rivals would still provide plenty of reason for celebration.

Celtic are firm favourites for this game at 4/5, with a Rangers victory available at 4/1. Celtic might be the dominant force, but those prices make rangers worth a look on the Asian Handicap. The 10/11 on Rangers + 0.75 certainly warrants some interest, as it would be a winning bet in the event of a draw, but would also give you the compensation of having half your stake refunded were Rangers to lose by any one goal margin.

For an Old Firm correct score betting tip, the 1-1 draw at 15/2 with BetVictor looks attractive. Staying with the goals markets and taking into account Rangers solid defensive record (and somewhat less impressive goals scored record), backing Under 2.5 Goals in this game at 23/20 with William Hill looks a value bet. The draw also looks good at 3/1 with Betfred for the Match Result.

RANGERS VS CELTIC STATS

Rangers are only averaging a relatively modest 1.50 goals per game at Ibrox this season, which doesn’t compare too favourably with the 2.74 goals per game that Celtic are averaging on the road.

That said, Mark Warburton’s team are conceding at a rate of just 0.40 goals per game at home. Celtic, though impressive, are conceding 0.68 goals per game away from home.

Both Teams To Score (BTTS) has occurred in 40% of Rangers’s matches at Ibrox this season and in 50% of Celtic’s away games.

RANGERS TEAM NEWS

Rangers have fitness doubts over captain and left-back Lee Wallace, who pulled up with a hamstring injury during the win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

CELTIC TEAM NEWS

Australian midfielder Tom Rogic is doubtful, having been sidelined for the past three games with an ankle injury.

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