The rivalry between Rangers and Celtic, known as the Old Firm derby, is one of the most anticipated fixtures in Scottish football. As the teams prepare to face each other in early 2025, Celtic emerges as the heavy favorite, boasting a commanding 14-point lead in the league and an unbeaten run domestically . The inconsistency of Rangers in their recent performances—having lost their last seven encounters with Celtic—coupled with key injuries to players like James Tavernier and Jack Butland, poses significant challenges for them. This context sets a dramatic stage for predictions surrounding the match outcome.
Rangers have failed to win any of the previous seven meetings, with Celtic's supremacy in the derby being reflected by their overall dominance. The Hoops have won 12 of the previous 13 Scottish titles, with the Gers' solitary triumph arriving in 2020/21 under Steven Gerrard.
Rangers have little chance of reclaiming the crown this season with Brendan Rodgers' side running away with the league. Celtic are 14 points clear of their eternal rivals at the summit with Thursday's hosts enduring an underwhelming campaign with Belgian Philippe Clement at the helm.
The Gers also failed to beat their Glasgow rivals in five meetings last season, with their last win coming in May 2023 when they ran out 3-0 winners after Celtic had already been crowned champions.
Football betting sites have all but given the SPL title to Celtic already with the best price offered 1/50, while Rangers are 40/1 to make up the 14-point gap.
Rangers possible starting lineup: Butland; Tavernier, Sterling, Balogun, Yilmaz; Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Bajrami, Hagi; Igamane
Celtic possible starting lineup: Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Paulo Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda
Celtic will be without James Forrest and Odin Thiago Holm, with the pair not expected back until later in January. Nicolas Kuhn will again lead the line alongside Kyogo Furuhashi, with Daizen Maeda pushing for a start. Alistair Johnston has shaken off a knock.
Despite their struggles, Rangers will likely adopt a strategic 4-2-3-1 formation to maximize their chances against Celtic's formidable defense. The latter has demonstrated remarkable resilience this season, achieving 15 clean sheets in just 18 Premiership matches and conceding only four goals. This defensive strength has contributed to Celtic's success and highlights Rangers' uphill battle in overcoming their rivals. While specific lineups are not disclosed by all sources, it is evident that tactical decisions will be pivotal for both teams .
For fans seeking free online options to watch this highly anticipated clash or access predictions regarding its outcome, information remains somewhat scarce. While various platforms may offer coverage of the match across different regions such as the UK and US , explicit details on free streaming services are not readily available. Regardless, this iconic derby promises an exhilarating encounter filled with historical significance and fierce competition.
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