Separated by nine points entering 2023, bitter rivals Rangers and Celtic kick off the new year by contesting another Old Firm derby on Monday.
The Glasgow giants meet at Ibrox, with the visitors aiming to extend their lead in the Scottish Premiership to double figures, while their hosts seek a fifth straight win in order to narrow the gap.
Match preview
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Following four wins from four to start his time in charge at Rangers, Michael Beale will lead out the Light Blues for his first Glasgow derby as boss sorely needing another victory to keep the title race alive.
Wednesday's 3-0 defeat of Motherwell took the Gers' goal tally to 10 since the World Cup break, and they now aim to win five on the spin in the Premiership for the first time this season.
Sitting 17 points clear of third-placed Hearts and having crashed out of Europe ignominiously, Rangers' clear priority is to chase down their oldest foes for top spot - increasing the importance of Monday's contest even further.
Though not entirely convincing thus far, Beale's side are slowly growing in confidence, as Alfredo Morelos - who opened the scoring in midweek - shows signs of getting back to his best.
Having scraped through games against Hearts and Aberdeen thanks to stoppage-time winners, before keeping clean sheets in their last two outings of 2022, they may therefore believe that Celtic can be toppled; closing the gap to a more negotiable six points.
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Ange Postecoglou, of course, will have other ideas, and his record against Rangers stacks up particularly well ahead of the clubs' latest clash.
A 4-0 crushing of the Light Blues in September's derby proved a statement of intent from his irrepressible Celtic side, who have gone on to win all but one of their 19 league games this term.
Firmly on course for successive titles under the Australian's reign, some observers have suggested that winning a six-pointer at Ibrox would effectively seal the deal - even with several months still to play.
The Hoops recorded a 12th successive Premiership victory when they faced Hibernian at Easter Road on Wednesday, as Kyogo Furuhashi completed the scoring in a 4-0 success. That came just days after the striker's double in a 4-1 home win over St Johnstone, and Celtic have racked up more than 60 league goals already.
Now, for the 83rd time, Celtic's first league match of a year comes in the Old Firm derby, and they have lost just one of the last six such encounters. Their solitary setback was on the most recent occasion, a 1-0 defeat in 2021, but they have otherwise won their league opener in 11 of the last 12 calendar years.
Having also won three of their last four league meetings with Rangers, after tasting victory in just two of their previous 10, recent precedent is on their side as well as current form. Therefore, the champions will surely expect to take one huge stride towards another title by the final whistle on Monday.
Team News
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Rangers should be able to rely on Alfredo Morelos to lead their attack again in the derby, despite the Colombian striker limping off against Motherwell with a hamstring problem.
Fellow forward Antonio Colak should be available too, but Kemar Roofe remains a major doubt. Meanwhile, Ianis Hagi has been tipped to return from long-term injury later this month - several weeks ahead of schedule.
Given his side's results since taking the reins, Michael Beale is unlikely to make many changes to the lineup which started in midweek, though James Sands and Glen Kamara are among those pushing for a recall.
November's SPFL Player of the Month Sead Haksabanovic is set to miss out for Celtic on Monday, as the Montenegrin forward is still sidelined by a foot injury; Anthony Ralston will also be unavailable.
The Hoops are without David Turnbull too, after the midfielder was handed a two-match ban for his dismissal against St Johnstone.
Ange Postecoglou is expected to keep rotation to a minimum for the short trip to Govan, though Jota and World Cup star Josip Juranovic are in contention to start. Recent signings Alastair Johnston and Yuki Kobayashi could also play a part if they receive clearance in time.
Rangers possible starting lineup:
McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic; Jack, Lundstram, Kamara; Tillman, Morelos, Kent
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Hatate, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; O'Riley, McGregor, Mooy; Jota, Furuhashi, Maeda
We say: Rangers 1-2 Celtic
Notwithstanding an impressive points tally since starting afresh under new management, Rangers have still looked vulnerable defensively and cannot hope to keep free-scoring Celtic at bay for a full 90 minutes.
Even with home advantage in their favour, the home side are likely to be exposed by their arch-rivals' speed of thought and movement; falling further adrift in the table after a bitter defeat.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
