Free football betting tips: Celtic v Rangers preview - Latest odds, kick-off & TV times for Old Firm clash

Celtic v Rangers

• Saturday 12.30 | Sky Sports
• Match odds: Home 29/20 | Draw 5/2 | Away 7/4

There is no fixture in British football like it. Indeed, the Old Firm derby has a different sort of edge. It is more than a football match. It is an exhibition of all the religious, political and societal divisions that split Glasgow and this Saturday’s fixture promises to be the most compelling of recent times.

Of course, this particular Old Firm derby’s edge will be somewhat dulled by the lack of fans in the stands due to the current Covid-19 regulations, but there is still plenty on the line for Celtic and Rangers. In fact, it could be argued that there hasn’t been so much on the line for both sides for a generation.

Just one point separates the two teams at the top of the Scottish Premiership. In terms of their performances so far this season, though, the general narrative around Rangers is far more positive than it is around Celtic, even though the Hoops will claim top spot should they win their game in hand.

Rangers have impressed, with Borna Barisic, Ryan Kent and James Tavernier reaching new heights. Steven Gerrard’s side have dropped points at Hibernian and Livingston, but they have found top form in comprehensive wins over Dundee United, Motherwell, St Johnstone and St Mirren.

Gerrard has previously bemoaned his team’s lack of killer instinct, but they appear sharper in that regard this season. Celtic, on the other hand, have laboured through almost every match they have played. Neil Lennon had to wait until the 90th minute for the breakthrough to come against St Johnstone in his side’s final game before the international break, and this wasn’t the first time Celtic have left it late to get the job done.

Injuries and self-isolation spells have disrupted Celtic, but there is an edginess to Lennon and his players right now. It was a similar story last season, as the Hoops waited until after Christmas to find top form, but the longer they labour through the games, the more the uneasiness around the club grows.

One of Gerrard’s biggest successes as Rangers boss so far has been the breaking down of the Ibrox side’s mental barrier when it comes to games against Celtic. Last season, for instance, saw Rangers claim their first league victory at Celtic Park for nine years. The season before saw them take a grip of the title race with a derby victory before the winter break.

Celtic v Rangers betting tips

Kent found the net in the last Old Firm derby and with the English winger in good form this season (four goals in 10 games) he is a good bet to score this Saturday (anytime) at 14/5. Tavernier also comes into this derby with eight goals in his last eight games. The Rangers captain is 7/2 to make that nine from nine.

Celtic have inflicted some humiliating derby defeats on their fiercest rivals in recent years, but those days are seemingly in the past. These are two well-matched teams capable of beating each other. Celtic have the deeper squad, but Rangers have this season demonstrated a balance that has evaded their rivals.

Rangers started the season by keeping a record seven straight clean sheets. Their defence has provided them with a solid basis, but Celtic are the strongest attacking outfit in the country. Odsonne Edouard might not start having spent the last two weeks in self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19, but Lennon still has Albian Ajeti, Leigh Griffiths and Patryk Klimala all firing.

For all their recent troubles, Celtic have still scored at least three goals in their last eight home games in the league and are 9/2 to score three or more on Saturday. Meanwhile, Rangers are 4/1 to win to nil, something Gerrard’s side have done seven times from 10 in the Scottish Premiership this season.

A tight match favours Rangers while Celtic will surely hope for an open, free-flowing encounter. The absence of Ryan Christie could prove costly for the Hoops, with the 25-year-old one of their few consistent sources of creativity so far this season. The onus will be on the likes of Mohamed Elyounoussi and maybe even David Turnbull to make something happen.

This will be an Old Firm derby like no other, but with Celtic chasing an historic 10-in-a-row and Rangers the only ones who can stop them, there is even more than normal to hold the interest. There might not be any fans in attendance at Celtic Park, but the outcome of this derby will still cause a lot of noise.

Prediction: Celtic 1-1 Rangers (Sky Bet odds: 11/2)

Best bets:

James Tavernier Anytime Goalscorer - 7/2

Both Teams To Score and Under 3.5 Goals in match - 2/1

Leigh Griffiths Last Goalscorer - 5/1

Odds correct at 1530 BST (14/10/20)

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