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Recommended bets
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Three of the last four season in which Celtic have lost their first visit to Ibrox, they’ve gone onto win the title. Three of the last five Old Firms have seen both teams score. Rangers have only won two of their last 14 visits to Parkhead, although those wins came in 2019 and 2020.
Both teams to score is 4/5.
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 5/4.
Celtic to win and over 2.5 goals is 2/1.
Kyōgo Furuhashi is 7/2 to break the deadlock and 21/20 to add to his 17 Celtic goals.
Match preview
Today is the day that Celtic can, all but, reclaim the Scottish Premiership title from their bitter rivals.
This means Ange Postecoglou’s side are now unbeaten in 28 Premiership games, accumulating 75 points from the last 81 available.
As a result, the Bhoys are six points clear at the top of the table, with just four games to go, boasting a vastly superior goal difference: +61 to + 42.
So, a victory here would put them nine clear with just nine points left to play for, mathematically able to wrap up the title against Hearts next Saturday.
Celtic have won both Premiership Glasgow derbies in 2022, 3-0 at Parkhead and 2-1 at Ibrox, looking to win three in a row for the first time since 2018.
Having said all of that, Rangers could ultimately end up having the last laugh by enjoying the more memorable season.
A fortnight ago, these two met at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals with Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side coming from a goal down to win 2-1.
Scott Arfield with the equaliser before Calvin Bassey’s cross deflected in off Carl Starfelt for a 114th minute own goal.
So, the Gers will return to the National Stadium on 21 May to face Heart of Midlothian, looking to become cup winners for the first time in 13 years.
More significantly though, the Light Blues’ European dream is very much alive.
Last Thursday, they took on RB Leipzig in Germany for a Europa League semi-final first leg.
It was a game of few chances, but the Bundesliga side snatched victory just five minutes from the end, courtesy of Angeliño’s stunning strike.
Nevertheless, just a goal down, Rangers are very much still in the tie with the second leg back at Ibrox to come this forthcoming Thursday.
This presents van Bronckhorst with a conundrum, given that this massive but ultimately irrelevant derby fixture comes in-between those two legs.
With the home support, extra rest and motivation, Celtic will very much fancy their chances of securing the league against Rangers, as they did four years and two days ago.
Will it be a day of celebration in Glasgow’s East End?
Celtic team news
Unlike in the semi-final a fortnight ago, Ange Postecoglou does have some strikers available to him.
Georgios Giakoumakis is fit again, while top-scorer Kyōgo Furuhashi started for the first time since Boxing Day at Ross County last Sunday.
The Japanese sensation, who headed home his 17th goal of the season in Dingwall, could continue to lead the line for this one.
Daizen Maeda and Jota are expected to keep their places out-wide, chosen over Liel Abada who scored in February’s demolition derby.
In midfield, Tom Rogic could come in alongside Reo Hatate, both of whom have also netted in derbies this season, with Matt O’Riley missing out.
At the back, Carl Starfelt and last month’s Ibrox match winner Cameron Carter-Vickers are yet to lose a Premiership game when starting together.
With Josip Juranović out for the rest of the season, Anthony Ralston will continue to deputise at right-back.
Rangers team news
As mentioned, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has some tough choices to make with the second leg against RB Leipzig coming up on Thursday.
What is known is that Filip Helander, Aaron Ramsey, Ianis Hagi, Kemar Roofe and Alfredo Morelos are all injured.
Leon Balogun meanwhile is suspended following his red card during last weekend’s 3-1 victory over Motherwell at Fir Park.
So, at centre-back, Calvin Bassey and Connor Goldson will keep their places, due to lack of options if nothing else.
At the other end of the park, van Bronckhorst elected to go with no recognised centre-forward due to Morelos and Roofe’s unavailability.
This saw Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo and Scott Wright lead the line, with Rangers much improved after the break when Aribo moved to the middle.
If any of those are to be rested, Amad, who started their last visit to Parkhead, and Fashion Sakala are the other senior options.
Steven Davis and Scott Arfield were only on the bench in Saxony so both could start this one in midfield.
Scottish Premiership table:
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