Celtic v Rangers predictions: Super Hoops to enjoy Matt finish

Steve Davies
Spotlight
Brendan Rodgers has guided Celtic to within one won of a league and cup double in Scotland this season.
Brendan Rodgers has guided Celtic to within one won of a league and cup double in Scotland this season.

- Celtic are chasing a sixth league and cup double in eight seasons
- Rangers have failed to win any of this season’s four Old Firm games
- Recommended bet:
Matt O’Riley to score at any time

Celtic have already pipped Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title and can double up by beating their bitter rivals in the Scottish Cup final as well.

It’s been a stunning end to the campaign for Brendan Rodgers’ champions who have lost just once since the turn of the year, whereas Rangers have lost their winning habit at just the wrong time.

Team news

Celtic will hope defender Stephen Welsh is fit after injuring his shoulder against St Mirren last weekend.

Rangers boss Philippe Clement has a host of injury headaches, with John Souttar, Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic, Tom Lawrence, Oscar Cortes, Rabbi Matondo and Danilo all missing training.

Ryan Jack and Leon Balogun have recovered from injuries and could be involved, while there is a doubt over the participation of John Lundstram, who was sent off in the Old Firm game two weeks ago.

Philippe Clement will hope to guide Rangers to Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic.
Philippe Clement will hope to guide Rangers to Scottish Cup final victory over Celtic.

The stats

Celtic and Rangers have met four times already this season, with the Bhoys winning three and drawing the other.

Rodgers’ side have lost just one of 24 games since the week before Christmas.

Rangers have failed to win eight of their last 14 matches and have managed just two clean sheets in their last 11 outings.

Twenty-eight of Celtic’s 38 league games this season have produced at least three goals.

Prediction

Given how dominant Celtic have been over the back end of the season and given Rangers’ injury and form problems, Rodgers’ newly-crowned league champions look quite attractive at 8/11 over 90 minutes.

They have signed off in free-scoring, winning style and it’s questionable if Gers, who have ended the campaign in something of a mess, have either the heart or the ability to stop them.

It is, of course, a one-off game and the Light Blues will give it their all to try to complete a cup double, having lifted the League Cup back in December.

But all signs point to Celtic with one man in particular, Matt O’Riley, finishing the season in sizzling form and backed to find the net again.

The Denmark attacking midfielder has scored eight goals in his last nine appearances, scoring in seven of those matches and has bagged against Rangers twice in the past few weeks.

Rangers and others are finding him hard to pick up and a man who averages a shade under three shots per game has to be a decent pick to score at any time.

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