It’s a meeting of the top two in the Scottish Premiership as Celtic and Rangers clash for the second time this season.

Betfred’s Frank Monkhouse offers his Old Firm predictions…

Celtic enter Saturday’s second Old Firm derby of the season sitting atop the Scottish Premiership with a five-point cushion over their rivals from across the city. The Hoops responded to back-to-back defeats suffered earlier this month by winning each of their last two games, scoring a combined five goals and conceding none. Will they complete the hat trick when Gers come calling?

Rangers arrive at Parkhead second in the pecking order but unbeaten under manager Philippe Clement, who has turned things around in Govan. The Belgian has already taken his men to the League Cup and the knockout stages of the Europa League. Can he now deliver a stunning Old Firm victory that would cut the gap to just two points with two games in hand? That would certainly set the cat amongst the pigeons.

Team News

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers told fans he’s hopeful of having a strong squad to choose from in Saturday’s showdown. The returning boss has endured his fair share of injuries this term, especially in defence, but those worries appear to be easing ahead of a vital New Year Old Firm. Liel Abada is likely to join Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers in the matchday squad, providing a huge boost to the home team and last season’s treble-winners.

Belgian boss Clement inherited a team ravaged by injury from predecessor Michael Beale and looks likely to bolster his squad during the winter transfer window. There have been signs of recovery in recent weeks, but Rangers will line up without Nico Raskin, Tom Lawrence, Ryan Jack, John Lundstrum, and Danilo. It’ll be a patchwork midfield for Gers on Saturday, but that’s nothing new to Clement, and he’ll likely rely on the ever-versatile Dujon Sterling in the engine room.

Celtic vs Rangers Odds

Celtic enjoy the home advantage for this game and enter on the back of two league wins. The champions lost 2-1 to Kilmarnock and 2-0 to Hearts but bounced back to beat bottom-club Livingston 2-0 at this venue and Dundee 3-0 on Boxing Day. Fancy a third win to strengthen the Bhoys’ position at the top of the table? Back Celtic at 11/10.

Rangers are ravaged with injuries, and Clement is especially light in the middle of the park. Several experienced, big-name players will miss this game, but Rangers arrive on a rich vein of form. Gers have impressed this month, already beating Motherwell, Aberdeen, Real Betis, and Hearts. Will they add the scalp of Celtic? You can back Rangers for a vital away win that would blow the title race wide open at 21/10 with Betfred. The draw wouldn’t be a bad result for either team and you’ll find the level finish at 23/10.

Bet 1: Both teams to score @ 8/13

As followers of Scottish football’s biggest fixture already know, anything can and often does happen in the Old Firm. Meetings of Celtic and Rangers are lively, entertaining affairs, with the rivals sharing 20 goals in six games last season. Will the Bhoys and Bears pick up where they left off, providing another exciting game packed with plenty of goals and even more talking points? We have high hopes.

Celtic’s defence is in turmoil, with the makeshift backline struggling to guard against set-pieces, especially corners. The league leaders leaked goals at home against Hibs, Feyenoord and Hearts. Opponents Rangers arrive on the back of an extended winning run, finding the net at Hearts, Real Betis, Motherwell, and against Aberdeen at Hampden in the League Cup final. Backing both teams to score would’ve landed you a profit in six of the last ten derbies.

Bet 2: Dessers to score @ 23/10

Nigerian attacker Cyriel Dessers continues to split opinion among the Rangers' supporters, with many eager for the club to cut their losses and replace the 29-year-old in the coming weeks. But there can be no denying he’s finding his feet in Scotland and improving, scoring three this month already.

Rangers are almost as light in attack as in midfield,  but they create plenty of chances, and Dessers will get opportunities to score and win over the fans. He had two goals ruled out for offside in Gers last game and also had the opener chalked off by VAR in the previous Old Firm derby at Ibrox. Keep the faith and back the Rangers striker to score anytime at a handy 23/10. He’s likely to start and play most of the game, so backers get a run for their money.

Frank Monkhouse covers Scottish Football for us here at Betfred Insights. You can check out all of his work along with that of the rest of our Football Betting Tips desk on our main Football page...