📰 Table Of Contents
Recommended bets
[RECOMMENDED_BETS][TIP_OF_THE_DAY]
Match preview
For the 30th time, Rangers and Celtic go head-too-head in a major cup final at Hampden, with both desperate to land the first silverware of the season.
Celtic have won five of the last six League Cups, beating Hibs 2-1 in last season’s final, with Ange Postecoglou’s lifting his first silverware at the club.
This set the Hoops on their way to last year’s title, and they’re well on course to retain that trophy.
Last weekend’s 4-0 demolition of Aberdeen means the Celts have won 24 of 26 Premiership matches so far, losing just one, so remain nine-points clear at the top.
In this competition, the Bhoys demolished both Ross County and then Motherwell on the road, before proving to be too strong for Kilmarnock in last month’s semi.
So, will Celtic’s domination of Scottish silverware continue?
Since the change of management, the Light Blues have won 13 of 14 games, only failing to beat Celtic in a thrilling 2-2 draw at Ibrox in early-January.
In this competition, after routine wins over Queen of the South and Dundee, the Gers had to come from behind to beat Aberdeen in the semis, with Ryan Jack equalising, before Kemar Roofe won it in extra time.
With the Premiership title looking a long-shot, Beale has to be targeting the two cup competitions as his best route to silverware in his first half-season.
Celtic have only lost one of their last 20 matches at the National Stadium, but this was a 2-1 defeat against their bitter rivals on Easter Sunday ten months ago.
Will Glasgow be green and white or red, white and blue following this mouthwatering League Cup Final at Hampden?
Rangers team news
Filip Helander, John Souttar, Rıdvan Yılmaz, Steven Davis, John Lundstram and Tom Lawrence are all out long-term, but Mick Beale is getting some key players back.
Kemar Roofe came off the bench to score at the Tony Macaroni last weekend; he’s made just six appearances this season due to a knee injury.
In midfield, January signings Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell both started the win at Livingston, but neither are expected to keep their places here.
Ryan Jack is set to be fit, but Scott Arfield could be out for the rest of the season.
Allan McGregor has won five League Cups with Rangers, although he actually only started one in of those finals.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barišić; Kamara, Jack, Tillman; Sakala, Kent, Morelos.
Celtic team news
Star striker Kyōgo Furuhashi, who bagged a brace in last season’s final, suffered an injury scare against St Mirren a fortnight ago, but is fit and raring to go.
The majority of the XI picks itself, with Ange Postecoglou’s toughest decision coming in midfield, where Aaron Mooy is likely to get the nod over Matt O’Riley.
In attack, it’ll be Jota on the right, Daizen Maeda on the left and Liel Abada, who’s already got three Old Firm goals to his name, left in reserve.
Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt have started 50 domestic games together, with their only defeat coming against Rangers in last year’s Scottish Cup semis.
Captain Callum McGregor will make his 404th appearances for the club, targeting his 18th major honour.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Hart; Johnston, Starfelt, Carter-Vickers, Taylor; McGregor, Mooy, Hatate; Jota, Maeda, Kyōgo.
Rangers vs Celtic: Head to head statistics
[STATISTICS]
