Celtic vs Rangers: Betting Odds & Prediction

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Written by: Bradley Walker

Celtic can all but seal the Scottish Premiership with a win over bitter rivals Rangers on Saturday afternoon. 

The hosts sit three points above their Glaswegian counterparts with three matches of the season remaining. Both sides played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Ibrox Stadium last month. 

Kick-off is set for 12:30pm UK time at Celtic Park. 

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Celtic

Brendan Rodgers' side have won all four matches since their last meeting with Rangers in April. Scoring eleven times during that period, it's little surprise that Celtic stand as the division's highest-scoring side with a grand total of 85 goals so far. 45 of those have been netted at Celtic Park, leaving them with an average of 2.65 per game in front of their home fans. They've failed to score on just two occasions on home turf. 

Their defensive statistics also make for positive reading, with only Rangers conceding less than Celtic's 27 goals so far. Just 12 of these have been shipped in home fixtures at an impressive average of 0.71 per game. Seven of Celtic's 14 clean sheets have also came at home. 

But, Rodgers' men have only kept one clean sheet in three Old Firm matches this term, though they did emerge victorious in two, including a 2-1 win at Celtic Park back in December. They are also undefeated in their last eight league outings at home, and have netted 24 goals during that time. 

Rangers

The visitors' run since their last meeting with Celtic hasn't been quite as smooth-sailing. A 3-2 loss at Ross County immediately followed the 3-3 draw with Celtic, before Philippe Clement's men dropped more vital points in a 0-0 draw at Dundee. 

Rangers have since rebounded with three consecutive victories though, including a 4-1 win at home to Kilmarnock last weekend. A win is surely a must if they are to have any chance of capturing the Scottish Premiership this term. 

However, Rangers' recent away form has been patchy, with one win, one draw and one loss coming in their last three outings on the road. They are also yet to record a win over their city rivals this season. 

Rangers have scored less on the road (32, compared to 46 at home) but have also been tighter at the back, conceding an average of just 0.53 in away fixtures compared to 0.89 at Ibrox Stadium. 11 of their 18 clean sheets have also came on their travels. 

Prediction

Anything other than a Rangers win will surely hand Celtic their 54th Scottish Premiership, and the home win is looking the most likely. Celtic have been near faultless since 2-0 loss at Hearts at the start of March, and momentum looks to be with Brendan Rodgers' men as the season's end draws near. OddsNow back the Hoops to record a third victory over their Old Firm rivals on Saturday.

OddsNow's Pick: Celtic to win (19/20 @ QuinnBet)