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Celtic logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 22
Feb 2, 2022 at 7.45pm UK
Celtic Park
Rangers logo

Celtic
3 - 0
Rangers

Hatate (5', 42'), Abada (44')
McGregor (22'), Doak (90+4')
FT(HT: 3-0)

Ughelumba (52'), Tavernier (74'), Balogun (76')

Preview: Celtic vs. Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Rangers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

The Old Firm derby will take place on Wednesday night as the two top teams in the SPL compete, with Celtic aiming to close the gap between themselves and the current table toppers Rangers.

Both clubs head into this match in great form, and with only two points separating them right now, everything is to play for as the title race heats up.


Match preview

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou reacts on January 29, 2022© Reuters

Celtic shall be aiming to climb to the top of the SPL table in midweek, where a victory against their Old Firm rivals will see them leapfrog Rangers into pole position.

The Hoops have been chasing them throughout the entire campaign, but now they have the chance to achieve that feat in front of their own fans at Celtic Park, providing them with the perfect backdrop.

Ange Postecoglou guided his team to a 1-0 victory at the weekend against Dundee United, in what was a hard-fought game where a 90th-minute goal from Liel Abada provided the difference.

Celtic managed to achieve that despite being down to 10 men following Nir Britton's red card, which means that the Hoops will be without the central midfielder on Wednesday night.

However, the squad do head into this game with a 13-match match undefeated streak behind them in all competitions, which gives them as much confidence as possible for what will be their biggest contest of the season so far.

 Rangers' Alfredo Morelos celebrates scoring their second goal, November 25, 2021© Reuters

On the other hand, Rangers were held to a draw at the weekend in a frantic game against Ross County, who are fighting for survival in the league, as they battled it out to finish 3-3.

Amad Diallo had given his team the lead in the opening five minutes, but the Staggies fought back to go ahead themselves until James Tavernier and Connor Goldson regained the advantage.

However, the Gers threw away a potential three points in the 96th minute, as Matthew Wright scored a crucial goal for his team, marking the second time since the winter break that Rangers have failed to win a game.

While the squad have only lost once all season in the league, the recent form has allowed Celtic to catch up to them in the table, placing some real pressure on this particular fixture.

They will be hoping that a repeat of their earlier meeting this season will take place, which saw Rangers take all three points with a close 1-0 win.

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Celtic form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D

Rangers form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • D



Team News

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst on November 25, 2021© Reuters

Celtic could be boosted by the return of club captain Callum McGregor for the derby game, after he returned to training this week following his facial injury, which could be important following Briton's red card.

Daizen Maeda is also expected to be in contention to play according to Postecoglou, providing the Hoops boss with further options as they head into the important encounter.

Rangers fans who were hoping to see deadline signing Aaron Ramsey make his debut will be disappointed, as the former Juventus and Arsenal midfielder will not be in the squad for this match, as was confirmed by the manager.

Filip Helander is also unavailable for the Gers due to injury, but the league leaders will be able to welcome back Leon Balogun, who has been confirmed as fit and ready to play.

However, the club will be missing striker Alfredo Morelos, as he is currently on international duty with Colombia, which could open the door for Kemar Roofe to start.

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Ralson, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Scales; O'Riley, McGregor, Hatate; Abada, Forrest, Giakoumakis

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic; Arfield, Kamara, Aribo; Kent, Diallo, Roofe


SM words green background

We say: Celtic 2-1 Rangers

Old Firm derby games are always close, and this one should be no different, especially considering how little separates them in the league position, with Celtic having the chance to go top.

Because they are in slightly stronger form right now, and the fact that they have the home advantage, this could be a day that the Hoops take the victory.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Celtic win with a probability of 45.61%. A win for Rangers had a probability of 29.99% and a draw had a probability of 24.4%.

The most likely scoreline for a Celtic win was 2-1 with a probability of 9.26%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-0 (9%) and 2-0 (7.3%). The likeliest Rangers win was 1-2 (7.26%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.43%). The actual scoreline of 3-0 was predicted with a 3.9% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole and our data analysis both correctly predicted that Celtic would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Celtic vs Rangers

Celtic
53.1%
Draw
19.5%
Rangers
27.3%
256
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Wales' Aaron Ramsey celebrates scoring their third goal, November 23, 2021
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1211103543134
2Aberdeen12101125121331
3RangersRangers12723179823
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd135531914520
5Motherwell126151616019
6St Mirren145361923-418
7Dundee134362225-315
8Ross County143651222-1015
9St Johnstone144191727-1013
10Kilmarnock133371526-1112
11Hearts142391524-99
12Hibernian131571222-108


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