Celtic vs Rangers tips and predictions: Title race well and truly on as Old Firm clash
- George Dempsey
- 30 December 2023
Celtic will play host to Rangers in the second Old Firm of the season with five points separating the sides in the SPL table.
The Scottish Premier League title race has threatened to become a precession at stages, but Rangers blistering run of form has narrowed the gap to six points.
While the Gers have won 10 of 11 coming into the Old Firm, Celtic have slipped up in four of 11, thus dropping eight points and leaving the back door open.
In September, Rangers failed to capitalize on a weakened Celtic side, falling 1-0 to Kyogo Furuhashi's goal.
Brendan Rodgers' side is currently top of the table with a five-point lead over their bitter rivals, but that could be cut to two on Saturday and the visitors have two games in hand.
On the other hand, a win for the hosts would restore the gap to eight points with just 10 games until the sides met again on the penultimate weekend of the season.
Back-to-back defeats to Kilmarnock and Hearts were followed up by comfortable victories against Livingston and Dundee.
Rangers have had the luxury of six days off since they last played and with both sides about to play their eighth game of a packed December, the extra rest could matter.
Couple that with the fact that Celtic suddenly seem far less invincible than on the back of a 16-match unbeaten run in the league, Rangers may fancy their chances.
Key stats
- Celtic have scored in 40 of their last 42 home games in the SPL
- Rangers have scored in 23 of their last 25 away games in the SPL
- Both teams have scored in six of eight meetings at Celtic Park
