Rangers vs Celtic tips and predictions: Daizen Maeda can fire Celtic to glory in the final Old Firm of the season

Rangers state of play

Since Rangers defeated Celtic on 16 March, they have won just once in all competitions. That came in a 4-3 victory over Dundee six days later and they have since dropped points to Hibernian, Aberdeen and St Mirren domestically, while Athletic Bilbao knocked the Ibrox side out of the Europa League.

Despite things being dismal on the pitch, the 49ers Enterprises takeover of the club is nearing completion. 

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A new manager is top of the priority list and it could be the most important decision the club makes in its recent history.

Celtic state of play

Things have gone well for Celtic since their shock Parkhead loss in the previous Old Firm game.

They may have slipped up against St Johnstone in April, but across their other four games they have scored 18 goals, including five in each of the last three matches.

Brendan Rodgers led his team to yet another Premiership title last week after thrashing Dundee United 5-0. 

It is their fourth domestic crown in a row and hopes are high that another treble can be secured against Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final later this month.

Key talking point: Expect goals galore at Ibrox 

Rather surprisingly, Rangers have the better league head to head against Celtic this season. 

The Parkhead outfit may have won the first clash of the season 3-0 back in September, but the Light Blues won 3-0 in January, before notching an impressive 3-2 win at Parkhead last month.

Celtic did win the League Cup final showdown between the pair, but only on penalties following a topsy-turvy 3-3 draw at Hampden Park in December.

One thing looks likely, that there will be plenty of goals in the final domestic clash between the fierce rivals on Sunday.

In three out of four games against Celtic this term, Rangers have scored three goals, whereas Rodgers’ side have netted two or more goals in three of the four games.

Two of the four matches have seen both teams score also. Given how poor Rangers have been defensively under Barry Ferguson, expect this to continue on the weekend.

Daizen Maeda leads the way for Celtic in the scoring charts, netting 33 goals so far this season. With 24 goals, Cyriel Dessers is Rangers’ top scorer, but it will be Hamza Igamane who Celtic must be wary of.

FIRST’s top tip for Rangers vs Celtic

Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score – 13/20 (BetMGM)

Extra tips

Maeda has scored 16 Premiership goals this season and sits joint-top of the scoring charts.

Across four games against Rangers, he has netted three goals and registered an assist. Given how poor the Ibrox side have been in recent weeks, the 27-year-old has a great chance of scoring once again.

Daizen Maeda to score anytime vs Rangers – 9/5 (BetMGM)

Jefte has committed 0.9 fouls per game in the top flight this season. The Brazilian has also received seven yellow cards across his 30 games.

He will likely come up against winger Nicolas Kuhn, who tormented him in the League Cup final and having received a caution in all three of his appearances against Celtic this season, odds of 3/1 are very generous indeed.

Jefte to be carded against Celtic – 3/1 (Coral)

Celtic have averaged three goals a game in the league so far this season. Coming off the back of two 5-0 victories, the club can take advantage of Rangers’ defensive weaknesses this weekend. 

Celtic to score over 1.5 goals against Rangers – 13/20 (Coral)

Team News

Rangers will be missing Ridvan Yilmaz, Findlay Curtis, Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo for the derby, while Leon Balogun and Tom Lawrence are doubts but could make an appearance.

For Celtic, Jota will miss the game. So will Kasper Schmeichel and Yang Hyun-Jun. Otherwise, Rodgers has plenty of players available for selection.

Rangers vs Celtic predicted lineups

Rangers: Kelly; Souttar, Propper, Nsiala; Tavernier; Raskin, Diomande; Jefte; Hagi; Dessers, Igamane (3-4-1-2)

Celtic: Sinisalo; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Maeda (4-3-3)

Form guide (all competitions) 

Rangers: LWLWWLDDLD

Celtic: LWWWLWLWWW

Odds correct at the time of writing