Rangers vs Celtic verdict, predicted score, key stats and suggested bets

Rangers' recent record against their Old Firm rivals is poor as they look to defend the Scottish Cup.

Celtic to win and both teams to score

Correct score - Rangers 1-2 Celtic

Both teams to score

The last team to beat Celtic in a competitive game was Real Madrid back in November.

Celtic have won 17 of their last 18 outings.

Rangers have won only one of their last eight Old Firm games.

Rangers have conceded nine goals in five games.

Rangers will be without Tom Lawrence, Kemar Roofe and Steven Davis, who are all sidelined with injuries. Antonio Colak is a doubt for Michael Beale's men, which could see Fashion Sakala get the nod.

Reo Hatate, Liel Abada and Jota could all return to action for Celtic while James Forrest is expected to miss out with a muscle injury.

Rangers will have to end a five-match winless run in the Old Firm Derby if they are to bag their spot in the Scottish Cup final.

The Gers have only won one of their last eight games against Celtic, picking up their sole success with an extra-time goal in last year's cup semi-final.

Rangers enter this weekend's encounter having lost two of their last three outings. Michael Beale's men were beaten 2-0 by Aberdeen last weekend despite enjoying 75% possession and producing 20 shots.

The defending Scottish Cup champions will have to be a lot more clinical if they are to cause problems against their in-form opponents.

Celtic's 1-1 draw with Motherwell last Saturday ended their run of 17 straight victories across all competitions.

During that run, Ange Postecoglou's men kept nine clean sheets, conceded nine goals and scored 56 times.

Former Celtic boss Michael O'Neill questioned Rangers' big-game mentality and considering their record - especially in recent Old Firm derbies and other key games - he may have a point.

Celtic certainly don't appear to share the same problem as they continue to impress both home and away.

Our recommendation is to back the Scottish champions to produce another win over their old rivals.

Celtic to win and both teams to score is our nap, although another enticing option is to back the Hoops to bag a 2-1 victory in the correct score market.