Rangers will host Celtic in the Scottish Premiership on Thursday afternoon, and they will look to get back to winning ways.
Rangers have failed to win their last two home games in the Scottish Premiership, and it remains to be seen whether they can bounce back strongly vs their bitter arrivals Celtic in the Old Firm Derby on Thursday.
On the other hand, Celtic are in red-hot form right now, and they have picked up five wins from the last six league matches. The Hoops have won 22 of the last 24 league games, and they will be firm favourites to secure a victory here. The away side are already 14 points clear at the top of the table, and they will look to extend their lead and march towards the title.
On paper, Celtic are undoubtedly the team here, and it will be interesting to see if Rangers can step up and produce a strong performance here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Rangers
The home side will be without John Souttar, James Tavernier, and Neraysho Kasanwirjo due to injuries. Other than that, Philippe Clement has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of his side’s latest fixture.
Rangers are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Celtic, with Jack Butland in goal. Dujon Sterling and Jefte will start in the fullback areas, and they will look to keep things at the back and help out in the attack. Leon King and Robin Propper will start as the central defenders here.
As for the midfield unit, Mohamed Diomande and Nicolas Raskin will look to break up the opposition attacks and win the ball back for their side. Nedim Bajrami will start in the attacking midfield role, and he will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his side in the final third. Vaclav Cerny and Ianis Hagi will start in the wide areas. Hamza Igamane will lead the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Butland; Sterling, King, Propper, Jefte; Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Bajrami, Hagi; Igamane
Celtic
Odin Holm is the only injury worry for Celtic here, and they should be able to field a full-strength lineup in the derby. The away side are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Kasper Schmeichel in goal.
Mikey Johnston and Greg Taylor will start in the full-back areas. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. Cameron Carter-Vickers will form the central defensive partnership alongside Liam Scales.
As for the midfield unit, Callum McGregor will add defensive cover and composure to the side alongside Reo Hatate and Paulo Bernardo. Kyogo Furuhashi will lead the line for Celtic vs Rangers, with Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Paulo Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Furuhashi, Maeda
Key Stats
- Celtic have won 22 of their last 24 matches in the Scottish Premiership.
- Celtic have scored at least two goals in 25 of their last 27 matches in the Scottish Premiership.
- Celtic have kept a clean sheet in their last six matches in the Scottish Premiership.
- 22 goals have been scored in the last six matches between these two sides.
- Rangers have conceded eight goals in their last five matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Nicolas Kuhn
The German attacker has been in exceptional form this season, and he is our key player to watch out for. The 24-year-old will look to create goalscoring opportunities for his teammates and get on the score sheet himself. Such has been the player’s impact that he has attracted several well-known clubs with his exploits.
Kuhn has 14 goals and 11 assists to his name in all competitions, and he could make a defining impact for Celtic in the final third. Rangers have conceded eight goals in the last five outings, and they have been quite vulnerable at the back in recent weeks. They will struggle to contain the German attacker here.
Prediction
Rangers 1-2 Celtic
Celtic are better on paper, and they are in better form as well. The away side will be full of confidence and momentum heading into this contest, and they have enough quality to grind out a victory here.
On the other hand, Rangers will look to make like difficult for the opposition, but they are likely to come up short once again. They are winless in the last two league matches, and Celtic are likely to pile further misery on them. A narrow victory for the away side is on the cards here. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Brendan Rodgers and his charges.