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Is a champion final coming up in Scotland? – our free tips
If Celtic win, they are technically champions, but a draw will also put them in a favourable position.
Rangers have had a horrendous few weeks since March, picking up just five points in five league games in the Scottish top flight. With arch-rivals Celtic having completed the same stretch with 10 points, Celtic hold the league title, which they would virtually clinch with a win on Saturday. But let’s see what’s in store for the fourth Old Firm game of the year.
With 3 rounds to go, Celtic have a 3-point lead in the standings, so it’s easy to see how a win would put the defending champions in a great position. The Green and Whites’ goal difference would be 7 goals better with a one-goal win, which would virtually hand the title to Brendan Rodgers for the 54th time in their history, which would take them to within one gold medal of their rivals.
Of course, Rangers are still confident of progressing, but that would require not only a win at Celtic Park, but preferably by more goals.
This season, Rangers have won just 1 point out of a possible 9 against Celtic, while the ‘Gers have not won an away game against a hated rival since 2020.
Rodgers, who previously managed Celtic for almost 3 years, returned to the bench in the summer after a long spell at Leicester, so it would mean a lot to him if he could get his team back to the top.
“It hasn’t been an easy year, we’ve had a lot of injuries and that’s caused us a lot of problems. At the same time I’m proud of the boys because they reacted very well to every situation, even when Rangers were ahead of us. We have a great opportunity ahead of us because it’s never been so good to look at the table as it is now” – said the Northern Irishman.
On the other side, there was also a change of coaches, albeit here during the season. After Michael Beale’s sacking, Philippe Clement took over and not only did Rangers win 29 of their 39 games, but they also won the League Cup in 2011, so the Ibrox side will not be without a trophy.
This won’t be the last meeting between the two sides this season, as they have a cup final at Hampden Park on 25 May, which could even be an option for Rangers to win the treble.
However, for that to happen, the visitors will undoubtedly need to win, which could make for a good game.
If Old Firm, are you guaranteed tough football?
Well, no! So much so that only two of their three league games this season have been very low-scoring, but with Celtic’s pitch selection we did get a good 7+5 card game, with the usual maths at the end.
The whistle master will be probably the best Scottish referee, Wille Collum, who is preparing for his umpteenth derby. The 45-year-old has been leading the Old Firm since 2010(!) and in the previous 10 games he has dealt a total of 57 cards, with several red cards thrown in for good measure.
Best free tips for Celtic-Rangers
We don’t think we should rush headlong for the card bets, especially not at the 6.5 mark by the bookmakers. Although the overt might bode well for Rangers needing a win, the home side wouldn’t actually mourn a draw either, and the fact that we’re expecting a pretty paprika-filled end to the game in the event of a home win.
We’re also putting two home players in, Alistair Johnston and Greg Taylor are both on 7-7 yellows this season, the two wingers are good options for the card. The former has also yellowed in two derbies this year.
And our third idea is simple, we’re betting on the home side in double figures, and our tip would win on an even draw – which would have been the winning margin in each of the last 6 games between the two teams.
| Pick1: Greg Taylor to be booked @2.88 |  |
| Pick2: Alistair Johnson to be booked @2.30 | |
| Pick3: Celtic +0.5 cards @1.95 | |
