Rangers vs Celtic - Preview, Best Bets & H2H Record
- JN Value Betting
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 2
BEST BETS
JEFTE - TO BE CARDED - 10/3 (SKY BET) - 1PT
CALLUM MCGREGOR - TO BE CARDED - 7/2 (SKY BET) - 1PT
JEFTE & CALLUM MCGREGOR - TO BE CARDED - 14/1 (SKY BET) - 0.5PTS
One of football's fiercest rivalries is renewed on Thursday when the third Old Firm of the season takes place. It does feel as if these sides meet every other week. However, it is never short on entertainment. Just 18 days on from their pulsating Scottish League Cup Final clash, the Glasgow divide is crossed once again, this time at Ibrox.
Celtic head into this one with what looks an unassailable at the top of the league. There looked to be a slim chance of a Rangers fightback just a few weeks ago, until a derisory 2-1 defeat at the hands of St Mirren was followed up by a draw against Motherwell and the lead was back to 14 points within the blink of an eye. That doesn't mean this one will be short of an edge - it seems almost an impossible task when these sides clash.
When analysing an Old Firm, your eyes are immediately drawn to the card markets. The last three head-to-heads have seen 11, 9 and 12 cards respectively and whilst there are no trophies at stake here, you'd be brave to think this will be any different. You would expect value to be thin on the ground given the nature of the fixture and the previous records. However, there are two names that stand out; CALLUM MCGREGOR and JEFTE. The former is an Old Firm veteran and is a yellow card veteran in Old Firm terms as well. The Celtic captain has picked up a yellow card in six of his last nine Old Firm starts and the 7/2 on offer certainly appeals. In what could prove a frustrating afternoon for Rangers, Jefte is another who stands out at the prices, given his Old Firm yellow card record is exemplary (2/2). Due to the value on offer, I am happy to take small punt on them both getting carded at 14/1, given the possibility of this one being far from disciplined.
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
LAST 5 MATCHES:
15/12/2024 - CELTIC 3-3 (5-4 Pens) Rangers (Scottish League Cup)
01/09/2024 - CELTIC 3-0 Rangers (Scottish Premiership)
25/05/2024 - CELTIC 1-0 Rangers (Scottish Cup)
11/05/2024 - CELTIC 2-1 Rangers (Scottish Premiership)
07/04/2024 - Rangers 3-3 Celtic (Scottish Premiership)
