Celtic will host Rangers at Celtic Park on Sunday in a highly anticipated Old Firm derby clash between the top two teams in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts could extend their lead at the top of the standings to 19 points with a win, while the visitors will be aiming to close the gap to 13 points.
Match preview
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Celtic have been the dominant force in Scottish football in recent history, and their grip on the domestic competitions looks set to remain unshaken this season.
The Bhoys have already lifted the Scottish League Cup, defeating Rangers on penalties, while they are into the semi-finals of the Scottish FA Cup and hold a significant 16-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
Brendan Rodgers has led Celtic to 24 wins, three draws and two defeats from their 29 league fixtures, and their 76-point haul has left them in control of the Scottish Premiership, sitting comfortably 16 points above Rangers.
With only nine games left in the campaign, a victory on Sunday could virtually secure Celtic’s title, potentially extending their lead to 19 points with just 24 points remaining.
Celtic are certainly the favourites heading into the encounter, having won all of the last eight Old Firm clashes at Celtic Park, though Rangers did record a 3-0 triumph in the latest meeting.
The Gers will be extremely disappointed with how their season has played out, failing to mount a real challenge for the Scottish Premiership title, while they also lost in the Scottish League Cup final and crashed out of the Scottish FA Cup against Queen’s Park.
Philippe Clement was sacked from his role as manager as a result of their underwhelming campaign, with Barry Ferguson taking charge until the end of the season, but the interim boss has failed to have the desired impact at Ibrox.
Ferguson has won only two of his four matches in charge, alongside suffering two losses, although the latest of those losses was met with a dramatic penalty victory to progress past Fenerbahce and into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The Gers had held a 3-1 lead going into the second leg at their home ground, but a 2-0 defeat to Fenerbahce sent the match to extra-time and penalties, where Jack Butland proved himself the hero with two penalty saves to send Rangers into the next round.
Despite the defeat in normal time, the eventual triumph will give Rangers a boost heading into this clash, and the return of away fans to the Old Firm for the first time in two years should provide additional motivation.
Although the league title is all but wrapped up, Ferguson and the Gers could close the gap to Celtic by three points with a victory, prolonging their wait to be officially crowned champions and possibly setting up a tense finish to the campaign.
Team News
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James Forrest (foot) and Paulo Bernardo (ankle) are both ruled out of this encounter due to injury issues, with both expected to return later this month.
Jota is anticipated to play in his first Old Firm since returning to Celtic in January, with the winger likely to play alongside Daizen Maeda and Nicolas-Gerrit Kuhn in the forward line.
Jeffrey Schlupp has impressed since joining Celtic on loan from Crystal Palace, and the left-back could play ahead of Greg Taylor on Sunday, while Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston should also start in defence.
As for Rangers, Neraysho Kasanwirjo is anticipated to be the only absentee due to injury issues, although Connor Barron may miss out after coming off with a suspected injury in the last outing.
Tom Lawrence impressed after coming off the bench against Fenerbahce, and the midfielder could be rewarded with a start here, likely to play alongside Nicolas Raskin in the middle of the park.
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Schlupp; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Maeda, Jota
Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Jefte; Raskin, Lawrence; Cerny, Diomande, Hagi; Dessers
We say: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
While Rangers will be buoyed by their penalty victory, Celtic have a favourable record when playing at home in the Old Firm derby, and we expect that to continue with a triumph for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
