MX23RW : Saturday, December 28 12:28:52| >> :120:14048:14048:
[monks data]
Attendance: 49,873
Rangers logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 4
Sep 1, 2019 at 12pm UK
 
Celtic logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Edouard (32'), Hayes (93')

Preview: Rangers vs. Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Sunday's Old Firm derby between Rangers and Celtic.

Rangers and Celtic do battle in the Old Firm derby on Sunday with both clubs having recorded maximum points from their opening three Scottish Premiership fixtures.

Celtic currently possess a five-goal advantage over their fierce rivals - a factor which may prove decisive come the end of the season.


Match preview

Alfredo Morelos celebrates scoring for Rangers on August 29, 2019© Reuters

Steven Gerrard is under pressure to build on a solid opening campaign at Rangers, and the England legend will be delighted with how his side have fared during the opening weeks of the season.

While an injury-time strike was required to get the better of Legia Warsaw on Thursday night, a result which secured qualification for the Europa League group stages, Rangers head into this fixture on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

The goals have dried up in recent matches but clean sheets have been kept in their last four outings, providing both Gerrard and his players with a strong foundation to build upon heading into the biggest game on their schedule.

There will no doubt be tiredness within the ranks after an exhausting run of fixtures, but Rangers arguably have the greater momentum ahead of this game when you consider that they twice prevailed at Ibrox last season.

That said, Neil Lennon deserves plenty of credit for getting his Celtic side back on track after the disappointment of missing out on this season's Champions League.

Shipping four goals in a home defeat to Romanian outfit CFR Cluj could have had long-last ramifications, but four hard-fought wins have eased the doubts that Lennon must have had about his squad just over two weeks ago.

Comfortably overcoming AIK Stockholm 6-1 on aggregate in the Europa League should also stand this team in good stead, but it remains to be seen whether the trip back from Sweden will hinder Celtic this weekend.

While the Bhoys have netted a total of 14 strikes from their last five outings, three of the last seven have, unusually, come courtesy of own goals.

Rangers form: WWWDWW

Celtic form: WLWWWW


Team News

Kristoffer Ajer picture din August 2018© Reuters

Lennon has revealed that Kristoffer Ajer should be available for Sunday's fixture, despite going off with what appeared to be a groin problem on Thursday night.

Odsonne Edouard is also expected to feature after Lennon dismissed the issue sustained in Sweden as cramp.

Having signed on loan from Stoke City, Moritz Bauer is in contention to make his debut with Hatem Elhamed sidelined with a hairline fracture of a bone in his side.

Rangers may be forced to make a change at left-back, with Borna Barisic having suffered a head injury against Warsaw on Thursday night.

Jon Flanagan could deputise in that position, while Jordan Jones is pushing for a start on the flank after an impressive cameo against the Polish outfit.

Rangers possible starting lineup: McGregor; Tavernier, Katic, Flanagan; Jack, Davis, Aribo; Arfield, Morelos, Ojo

Celtic possible starting lineup: Gordon; Ajer, Bitton, Julien, Bolingoli-Mbombo; Brown, McGregor; Forrest, Ntcham, Christie; Edouard


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Rangers 2-2 Celtic

While Rangers will be confident of a third successive win over their arch enemies at Ibrox, we cannot ignore the recent scoring form of Celtic. Despite Rangers' better defensive record this campaign, it would be a surprise if Celtic do not cause problems in the final third, and this could end up as an entertaining draw.



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Written by
Darren Plant
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Kristoffer Ajer picture din August 2018
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1715204844447
2RangersRangers17112429111835
3Aberdeen1810443125634
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd187742720728
5St Mirren198382630-427
6Motherwell188282331-826
7Hibernian195682631-521
8Kilmarnock195682335-1221
9Dundee185492733-619
10Ross County194691735-1818
11Hearts1944112129-816
12St Johnstone1942132236-1414


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