Celtic vs Rangers Match preview

Scotland - Premier League: Celtic vs Rangers

This is the first Old Firm this season and the rivals await it in different mood. Celtic are preparing for the new season of Champions League temptations, where their aim is to advance from the first round, while Rangers still feel the consequences of the shameful elimination by Kaunas which in other words means that Ibrox won’t see European football this year. After three games the teams on a leveled position; Celtic failed against Dundee United, Gers were stopped at Pittodrie stadium in the clash against Aberdeen. There will be more surprises, the season is long, and hides many traps but clearly these two sides will, as usually, fight for the title. Celtic have won the crown three times in succession; last year they leapfrogged Rangers in the last seven rounds. None of the sides are in top form; they have problems with the strikers, Strachan and Smith seem very cautious in their statements before the match, the rivals respect each other; you know that Old Firm is more than just a game and it is hard to appraise the possibilities of the teams based on the start of the championship.

Celtic had a calm summer

Strachan didn’t insist so much on the back-ups, he bought Samaras’ contract and Shaun Maloney came back from Aston Villa few days ago . They are slowly improving their form, they will have the advantage of playing at Parkhead stadium in this derby; last year it was a crucial factor in the clashes against the Gers. It seems that the team is aiming at not at all naive Falkirk, so Strachan can be pleased with that. Champions League draw darkened their mood, actually Manchester United and excellent Villarreal are not at all easy rivals in the first round. Celtic have problems with the strikers for this duel, considering that McDonald is injured and Hesselink might not play… This leaves the option to play with one forward, Samaras. On his campaign in Portugal and tournament in Rotterdam Strachan tried 4-5-1 formation so it would be no wonder if he employed it on Sunday.

Rangers had complaints about the referees in the match against Aberdeen

First half at Pittodrie stadium was the best team have played so far in the season… They didn’t finish up the rivals and Beasle’s goal was disallowed. After elimination from Europe, the club were forced to sell Cuellar to stabilize the financial situation since there won’t be any income from TV rights for European matches. The fans objected; the club managed to bring Davis and Mendes from Premiership thus reinforcing the team. Let us remind you that captain Ferguson, who is the soul of the team is injured and won’t play till November. Rangers opened the season with victories over Falkirk and Hearts, now after the draw with the Dons they allowed Celtic to catch up with their mini-lead on the start. Last year they won both domestic cups, played in UEFA Cup finals, but the loss of the title still hurts…This was followed by a failure against Kaunas so the fans would like to forget the last few months.

Betting verdict

In the situation where both sides are weakened, Celtic’s squad problems seem more serious… We will see which squad Strachan will field, but anyway this neutralizes the advantage of home ground. Gers won at Parkhead once in the last four years, but this doesn’t have to mean anything. We will avoid betting on the final outcome although we think that the visitors won’t lose. Try betting on the small number of goals, both sides will probably be scared of losing to their arch-rivals this early into the season… That is why we choose under 2,5 goals.

Our tip: Bet 7 on Under 2.5 goals
Odds 1.7 at
Bookmaker: Gamebookers