Rangers vs Celtic - Old Firm team news and prediction

 

The final Old Firm of the season takes place this weekend as Rangers welcome Celtic to Ibrox. Rangers have won their two games against the Bhoys on home turf this term, scoring three times and conceding none in that run. As the Gers chase an unbeaten campaign, they face one final major obstacle between now and the end of the season. 

 

As the pair gear up to resume rivalries, we deliver the pre-match information including what time the game kicks off, where to watch the match, team news and probable XIs.

 

When is kick off? 

Sunday 2nd May, 12:00 GMT 

Where is the match? 

Ibrox, Glasgow 

What TV channel is it on? 

Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Main Event 

 

Form Guide 

 

Having knocked Celtic out of the Scottish Cup last month, Rangers came undone by St. Johnstone twice in the space of a week. A late Liam Craig penalty rescued a point for the Saints in the league, while James Tavernier had thought he'd secured the champions a spot in the Scottish Cup semi-finals after netting late on in extra tima. However, goalkeeper Zander Clark scored an equaliser in the dying embers to help St. Johnstone to a penalty shootout success. 

 

Celtic's last game was 11 days ago as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Aberdeen and it means they have won just two of their last six. The Bhoys are going through the motions until the end of the season, but they'll want to ensure Rangers don't go the season unbeaten and beat the Gers at least once in 2020/21. 

 

Team News 

 

Rangers aren't particularly hamstrung by absentees ahead of the final Old Firm of the season. Indeed, Steven Gerrard is without only Nikola Katic, who hasn't featured this season, and Ryan Jack. While Rangers have nothing to play for, they'll be looking to end the campaign unbeaten, so expect Gerrard to go with a strong XI here. 

 

Interim boss John Kennedy has little in the way of injury issues for his Celtic side coming into today's Old Firm with centre-back Christopher Jullien his only concern, though the Frenchman has spent much of 2020/21 on the sidelines, so his absence isn't a huge blow. Like opposite number Gerrard, Kennedy can be expected to go with a regular XI in order to precent Rangers from writing their name into the history books. 

 

Probable XIs 

 

Rangers vs Celtic - Old Firm team news and prediction

 

Rangers (4321) - McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Kamara, Davis, Aribo; Hagi, Kent; Morelos 

 

Celtic (4231) - Bain; Kenny, Welsh, Ajer, Taylor; Brown, McGregor; Christie, Turnbull, Elyounoussi; Edouard

 

Key Battle: Alfredo Morelos vs Odsonne Edouard

 

Alfredo Morelos halted his lengthy wait for an Old Firm goal on his last appearance for Rangers against Celtic. At the fifteenth time of asking, the Colombian ended his duck against the Bhoys and he'll seek to find the back of the net again on Sunday. With 11 league goals to his name this season, Morelos is looking to close the gap on Golden Boot leader Odsonne Edouard.

 

The Frenchman has found the back of the net 16 times this season, scoring at least two more goals than any other player, and a Premier League move this summer has been mooted. Edouard has turned provider in his last couple of outings for Celtic with two of his four assists this season coming in recent meetings with Rangers and Livingston, and he'll be looking to end 2020/21 with a flourish.

 

Score Prediction: Rangers 2-1 Celtic

Rangers vs Celtic - Old Firm team news and prediction