Premiership, played Thursday, January 2nd, 2025
Here is our Rangers v Celtic tip and game preview. Based on our detailed analysis of statistics listed below and other factors, we predicted both teams to not score in this game, under 2.5 goals, and a Celtic away win. Our confidence in this pick was low relative to other picks.
Following a promising and impressive looking four-match winning streak in the Scottish top flight in recent times, Rangers have since come up against a stumbling block as the hosts have failed to win either of their last two matches overall, which has left The Gers some 14 points adrift now of their league leading visitors, Celtic.
Celtic by contrast racked up a second 4-0 victory on the trot in the domestic top flight last time out in the Scottish Premiership when The Hoops registered a resounding 4-0 home win against the bottom of the table outfit St Johnstone on home soil at Celtic Park.
After posting impressive wins against the likes of St Johnstone, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Dundee respectively, Rangers have since experienced a mini slump having been handed an unexpected 2-1 loss away from home at St Mirren followed by being held to a frustrating 2-2 draw on the road at Motherwell.
Rangers have only been dealt four defeats so far this season but they have been enough to slow down Philippe Clement's side sufficiently that their upcoming visitors and arch-rivals Celtic now hold a 14-point cushion over The Gers.
All four of Rangers' defeats have been incurred on their travels but the hosts still remain unbeaten at Ibrox having collected eight wins and a draw within their nine home games at Ibrox so far this season.
Celtic now hold a seemingly unassailable lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership table ahead of this forthcoming Old Firm clash away from home at arch enemies Rangers having registered no fewer than 16 wins from their 18 matches played in total so far this season.
Even more impressive is the fact that Brendan Rodgers' side have also kept a total of 15 clean sheets within their opening 18 matches of this season's Scottish Premiership campaign and a tight defensive unit may just prove to be the difference between the two sides when they meet at Ibrox on Thursday afternoon.
The bigger picture shows Rangers are likely to have another tough job on their hands despite holding home advantage at Ibrox as Celtic are now unbeaten in each of their last 27 matches in the domestic top flight which indeed is some record.
Having racked up a total of 24 wins within these previous 27 games in the Scottish Premiership, Celtic look to hold the edge once again heading into this Old Firm clash.
Rangers v Celtic Verdict
Celtic have certainly held the upper hand over Rangers in previous exchanges as The Hoops have racked up six wins from their last seven meetings against The Gers and having not only dominated their hosts in recent times but also the domestic top flight in general, Celtic look set to take the derby spoils here.
Therefore, our main bet will be Celtic win @ 2.25
Other side bets worth considering:
Celtic win & Under 2.5 goals @ 5.50
Correct Score: Celtic 1-0 @ 9.50
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| A | Motherwell | 2-2 |
| A | St Mirren | 2-1 |
| H | Dundee | 1-0 |
| A | Ross County | 0-3 |
| H | Kilmarnock | 6-0 |
| All ResultsHome Results | ||
| H | St Johnstone | 4-0 |
| H | Motherwell | 4-0 |
| A | Dundee Utd | 0-0 |
| H | Hibernian | 3-0 |
| A | Aberdeen | 0-1 |
| All ResultsAway Results | ||