The Scottgish Premiership‘s first Old Firm derby takes place on Sunday afternoon, and Andy Robson has dug into the stats ahead of what will be a fascinating clash.
While the home side are very much favoured in the betting odds, Twitter’s top tipster has come up with five value picks for his Celtic v Rangers betting tips for Sunday’s 12:30pm kick-off at Celtic Park.
Celtic v Rangers Betting Tips
Celtic to win
Over 2.5 goals
Celtic to receive the most cards
5 or more cards
Kyogo Furuhashi to score or assist
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Sunday, September 1st – 12:30
WHERE: Celtic Park
TV: Sky Sports Main Event/Football
Further Bet Builder stats are available on Andy’s Opta-powered Bet Builder stats tool, free to use on his website, Andy’s Bet Club. Expert insight on the Premier League can be found specifically on our Premier League predictions page, and the SPFL, EFL, and major European leagues can be found in the football betting predictions section.
Celtic to win
Celtic are the form team in Scotland and appear to have everything in their favour ahead of the first Old Firm game of the season against Rangers. The Hoops have won all four of their competitive matches this season and have conceded only one goal in these games.
None of their opponents have even got to within one strike, with Brendan Rodgers’ side thoroughly comfortable on a weekly basis. Although Rangers claimed a 6-0 win over Ross County at Hampden last week, the same cannot be said for the Gers.
Philippe Clement’s men have won only three times from six and have suffered defeats in both their away fixtures (although, in reality, they have not yet played at home due to Ibrox being temporarily closed).
Crucially, the level the two clubs have shown has been vastly different, meaning Celtic should have too much in this game.
Over 2.5 goals
Goals look on the cards in this match, not least because Rangers’ shaky defence is likely to invite chances for the home side. Indeed, Celtic have scored at least twice in their last three league meetings with Clement’s troupe, with the 1-0 Scottish Cup final win in May offering an exception.
Rangers, meanwhile, appear to be getting things together offensively and have the capacity to score. Cyriel Dessers continues to get into good areas and will benefit from the delivery of summer signing Vaclav Cerny, while the whole attack will have been boosted after the six-goal salvo against Ross County.
The Gers’ issues, though, are at the other end of the field, and Celtic are more than good enough to exploit these problems.
Celtic to receive the most cards
Despite Celtic’s dominance in this fixture of late, they have been prone to receiving more cards than their opponents in this head-to-head. In the last four matches between these clubs, the Hoops have picked up more cards, including two home league encounters last term.
Referee John Beaton, meanwhile, oversaw the dramatic 3-3 draw at Ibrox in April, during which he booked four Celtic players and not a single Rangers man. The Hoops may have only seen two cards in the league this season, but they were also the least booked team last term. However, that did not stop them from picking up many cards against their biggest rivals.
5 or more cards
This is set to be a competitive encounter, with much riding on the match for both teams as they seek to set down an early marker. It should, therefore, be a tough-tackling affair from both sets of players.
Indeed, there will be no love lost following the Scottish Cup final, during which there were an astonishing 12 yellow cards handed out. There have been at least four cards shown in each of the last four matches between these clubs, with Rangers twice having seen game-changing reds.
Kyogo Furuhashi to score or assist
Kyogo might have had a slow start to the season, but the Japanese always seems to reserve his best form for Old Firm day. With Matt O’Riley, last term’s leading league marksman after heading off to Brighton, his importance is even greater.
In regular season play against the Gers, he has been particularly potent. Across the last five pre-split fixtures, he has scored five goals. Last season, he twice netted the match-deciding strike in these games.
He may not have scored this season, but he did get an assist against Kilmarnock, and should he be welcomed back to the starting XI, as seems likely, he will attack this match with relish.
Celtic v Rangers Bet Builder
Celtic to win
Over 2.5 goals
Celtic to receive the most cards
5 or more cards
Kyogo Furuhashi to score or assist
- A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 11/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
READ MORE
- Shoot on over to Paddy Power News for the best Football Betting Tips & News
- Manchester United v Liverpool tips: Scintillating Salah to score in Andy Robson’s 7/1 Bet Builder
- Free Bet Offer: Grab a completely free Bet Builder for Man Utd v Liverpool this Sunday
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
