Celtic v Rangers: Scottish Premiership predictions, best bets and odds

Frank Monkhouse

Flashscore has everything you need to enjoy the second Old Firm Derby in seven days, including the preview and predictions of trusted betting analyst Frank Monkhouse.

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Rangers thrashed Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals last Sunday. The Hoops now have an opportunity to gain revenge when the rivals meet at Parkhead in the Scottish Premiership.

Despite being dumped out of the cup, Celtic are already five points clear of their opponents in the Premiership. A home win and an eight-point cushion after just seven games would go a long way toward getting the fans back on side.

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Keep reading as in-form football betting analyst Frank Monkhouse brings readers his three Old Firm predictions inspired by the stats and trends at Flashscore. Our man landed two wins from three picks last time, but aims for a full house here.

Celtic v Rangers betting tips

Over 2.5 goals @ 8/15 (bet365)

Rangers or draw @ 10/11 (bet365)

Neil shot on target @ 2/1 (bet365)

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Total goals - Over 2.5

The Old Firm Derby is a unique fixture, where recent form doesn’t count as much as it does in many other games. There’s often a cup final feel about the day, and that’ll be the case again on Sunday with both teams needing to win.

Victory for Celtic would see them pull further clear of their visitors from across the city, while making up for last week’s woeful effort in Govan. A win for Rangers would slice the gap to just two points, destroy their hosts’ perfect start, and help build momentum.

When previewing an Old Firm Derby, I like to focus on the head-to-head. It takes something special to win this game, with only the bravest players able to thrive in a cauldron of noise and energy.

The H2H stats at Flashscore show these teams met six times last season in the Premiership, League Cup, and Scottish Cup. It finished with Celtic winning twice, Rangers once, and three matches ending level.

Focusing on games at this stadium, my research shows that a bet on over 2.5 goals landed in 9 of the last 10. That’s very strong indeed, and well worth following.

With both teams scoring in 7 of those 10 matches, another competitive 90 minutes awaits.

Celtic have played three home matches this season in the Premiership, winning all three. Over 2.5 goals was a winning bet twice. Martin O’Neill’s Bhoys beat Aberdeen 3-0, and Falkirk 2-1.

Rangers have played three away games, scoring at least once at Tannadice, Pittodrie, and the Falkirk Stadium.

Last Sunday’s derby produced three goals, and 22 shots.

Need more convincing? Celtic lost 3-1 to Ferencvaros here on Thursday in another European disaster. Over 2.5 goals was settled as a winner before half time.

Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/15 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You’ll secure a profit from this bet if Celtic v Rangers ends with more than two goals scored by both teams combined.

Double chance - Rangers or draw

Moving to the second of my Celtic v Rangers predictions, and I’ll stick with a market and a bet that worked well for us seven days ago.

When betting on the match-winner, you have a one-in-three chance of making a profit, with your pick working against both the opponent and the draw.

The double chance market, as the name suggests, improves your chances of success. You now have two of the three possible outcomes covered.

On Sunday, my stake is riding on Rangers avoiding defeat, with the away win paying the same as the draw. Anything but victory for Celtic boosts your betting balance.

Did you know that Rangers have won two of their previous three league visits to Celtic Park? The Blues celebrated a memorable 3-2 win, achieved thanks to a late goal from Hamza Igamane. Gers also secured a 3-1 here back in January, with Youssef Chermiti and Mikey Moore on the scoresheet.

Rangers have won their last four league games on the bounce, with two coming away from home. Derek McInness joined an exclusive list of Rangers managers who won their opening Old Firm Derby, and he did it in style.

The boss now aims to score a derby win at Parkhead at the earliest opportunity.

Remembering how convincing Rangers were last Sunday, and the fact Celtic play their third game in seven days following a Europa League outing on Thursday, I’m happy to bet on Rangers avoiding defeat.

Tip: Rangers or draw @ 10/11 (bet365)

Bet explanation: You’ll beat the bookies and boost your balance if Sunday’s Old Firm derby ends in either a draw or an away win for Rangers.

Shot on target - Dan Neil

I wrap up my Celtic v Rangers Scottish Premiership preview and predictions with a bet at higher odds, having saved the best for last.

Dan Neil captained Rangers in last week’s League Cup win, was Man of the Match, and scored two fantastic goals. The 24-year-old, a summer arrival from Premier League side Sunderland, scored to make it 1-0, and added a third to cement his employer’s place in the semi-finals at Hampden later this year.

Neil’s performance and goals on his Old Firm debut attracted widespread praise, but there's more to come. Thankfully, traders working on the bet365 app appear to have overlooked Dan ahead of Sunday.

Football bettors will get odds of 2/1 on Dan Neil having at least one shot on goal. That shot, like last week’s effort, could fly into the top corner of the net to ensure victory. The shot could even roll back to the goalkeeper for an easy take.

You don’t need Neil to score, hit the post or even test the keeper too much. If he has one or more shots on target, this bet wins. It’s live for the entire time stand-in captain Neil is on the field of play, making it a real value for money bet.

Tip: Dan Neil 1+ shot on target @ 2/1 (bet365)

Bet explanation: All you need is for Dan Neil to have at least one shot on target against Celtic this weekend.