The first Old Firm derby of the 2022-23 campaign will take place on Saturday when Scottish Premiership champions Celtic play host Glaswegian rivals Rangers with kickoff at 2:30 pm.
After winning the Premiership title last season for the 52nd time, Celtic have begun this new campaign in exceptional form, winning all six competitive matches and scoring 25 goals.
The Hoops have since secured safe passage through to the third round of the Scottish League Cup after easing past Ross County 4-1 in Dingwall on Wednesday night.
Callum McGregor, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Daizen Maeda and James Forrest were all on target as they recorded their biggest-ever away win in the competition by beating The Staggies 4-1.
Rangers celebrated their qualification for the Champions League group stage by defeating Ross County 4-0 in the Premiership and Queen of the South 3-1 in the second round of the Scottish League Cup.
Though not all of the first team were present for the game against County, three goals from Antonio Colak, two from John Lundstram and one from Steven Davis made sure no one was left wanting for goals at Ibrox.
On Tuesday, however, a much-changed side got off to a great start against Queen of the South, with Scott Arfield scoring two and Robbie Ure finding the net too.
Celtic vs Rangers Head to Head
Both sides have 53 games against each other, with hosts taking 26 wins while visitors with 19 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Ross County 1-4 Celtic
- Dundee United 0-9 Celtic
- Celtic 2-0 Hearts
- Kilmarnock 0-5 Celtic
Away
- Rangers 3-1 Queen of the South
- Rangers 4-0 Ross County
- PSV Eindhoven 0-1 Rangers
- Hibernian 2-2 Rangers
Celtic Team News
Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou, who rested several key players for his side’s midweek European game against St Johnstone, will have a fully fit squad to choose from this weekend when the Hoops host Partick Thistle. Defenders Josip Juranovic, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Carl Starfelt and Greg Taylor are all expected to line up in the back four, shielding goalkeeper Joe Hart.
Rangers Team News
As for Rangers, Van Bronckhorst made wholesale changes for their midweek cup win over Queen of the South, but he is expected to name his strongest possible starting lineup on Saturday. With centre-backs Ben Davies, John Souttar and Filip Helander all sidelined with injuries—Jon McLaughlin is expected to replace Allan McGregor between the sticks.
Prediction and Odds
The Rangers defence is looking a little more vulnerable than last year, and we think Celtic will continue to fire in front of goal at home to their local rivals.
- Celtic Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Over 2.5
