The latest instalment of the Old Firm derby takes centre stage at Parkhead on Saturday lunchtime as Scottish Premiership champions Celtic play host to bitter Glaswegian rivals Rangers.
Five points currently separate these two teams at the top of the table, but the Gers have two games in hand on the Hoops following their midweek postponement.
Match preview
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Following two disappointing defeats against Kilmarnock and Hearts earlier this month, Celtic have since reignited their Premiership title change with back-to-back wins over Livingston and Dundee by an aggregate score of 5-0.
The Hoops followed up their 2-0 victory at home to Livingston with a comfortable 3-0 success at Dundee on Boxing Day, with Mikey Johnston netting a second-half brace as a substitute after Paulo Bernardo's opener to help the visitors consolidate their place at the summit.
Brendan Rodgers praised the mentality, attitude and energy of his Celtic side, who boasted 38 attempts on goal and 74% possession against Dundee, but the prospect of repeating that dominant display on Saturday could prove challenging against an in-form Rangers outfit.
Celtic have failed to win two of their last four home league fixtures, but they are unbeaten in their last five top-flight meetings with Rangers at Parkhead, winning their last two by an aggregate score of 7-2.
Victory on Saturday would not only see Celtic claim the bragging rights in Glasgow and move them eight points clear at the top of the table, but it would also mean that Rangers cannot climb to the summit if they were to win their two games in hand.
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While Celtic have only recently returned to winning ways, Rangers are yet to lose since manager Philippe Clement replaced Michael Beale in November, with the Belgian enjoying a 16-game unbeaten start to life at Ibrox.
The Gers have won each of their last seven matches in all competitions, following up their Scottish League Cup triumph over Aberdeen with successive 2-0 victories in the Premiership over St Johnstone and Motherwell, beating the latter at Fir Park on Christmas Eve.
Rangers were scheduled to face Ross County on home soil on Wednesday evening, but the match was postponed as adverse weather conditions on the A9 prevented the Staggies from visiting Glasgow, even though the playing surface at Ibrox was in good condition.
Clement and co have subsequently been given an extra few days rest ahead of Saturday's crunch match with rivals Celtic, who claimed a slender 1-0 win at Ibrox in the reverse fixture three months ago courtesy of a first-half strike from Kyogo Furuhashi.
Rangers have only beaten the Hoops in one of the last 11 Old Firm derbies, but their away form bodes well ahead of Saturday's trip to Parkhead as they have won seven and drawn one of their last eight Premiership games on the road – keeping seven clean sheets and conceding a league-low two goals in the process – since suffering a 1-0 loss at Kilmarnock on the opening weekend of the season.
Team News
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Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers is ruled out of Saturday's match after being forced off in the win over Dundee with "tightness" in his hamstring, so Stephen Welsh is set to deputise at centre-back.
James McCarthy is also sidelined with a hamstring problem, but Liel Abada and Reo Hatate could both return to the matchday squad this weekend following lengthy spells out with respective thigh and hamstring injuries, although a start for either player is considered highly unlikely.
After netting twice as a substitute in midweek, Johnston will be pushing to start on either flank at the expense of one of Daizen Maeda or Luis Palma, while Furuhashi, who has scored four goals in his last three Premiership appearances against Rangers, is set to continue up front.
As for Rangers, Connor Goldson will be assessed ahead of kickoff after sustaining a groin injury against Motherwell on Christmas Eve, but Jose Cifuentes, Tom Lawrence (both muscle), Danilo (knee), Nicolas Raskin (ankle), Steven Davis (ACL), Kemar Roofe, John Lundstram, Ryan Jack and Borna Barisic (all unspecified) are all set to remain in a packed treatment room.
Should Goldson fail to pass a late fitness test, John Souttar will likely start at centre-back alongside Leon Balogun, as Ridvan Yilmaz and James Tavernier, who has scored three goals in his last three league meetings with Celtic, continue as full-backs.
Dujon Sterling could keep his place in midfield alongside Todd Cantwell and Kieran Dowell, while Ross McCausland, Cyriel Dessers and Abdallah Sima are the most likely trio to start in attack, although Sam Lammers, Scott Wright and Rabbi Matondo will all be hoping to force their way into the first XI.
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; A. Johnston, Welsh, Scales, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Bernardo; Maeda, Furuhashi, Palma
Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Yilmaz; Dowell, Sterling, Cantwell; McCausland, Dessers, Sima
We say: Celtic 2-1 Rangers
Celtic edged past Rangers in a closely-fought contest earlier this season, and another tight affair could be in store this weekend, with the two title-chasing teams aware of the importance of avoiding defeat.
Although Rangers boast a strong run of form under Clement, Celtic have fared better in recent Old Firm derbies and may do just enough to claim maximum points once again in front of a fired-up Parkhead crowd.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
