Rangers vs Celtic: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Rangers and Celtic are, without a doubt, the two biggest clubs in the Scottish Premier League. Both clubs are coming off shocking Champions League exits in the playoff rounds, so what better way to bounce back than a derby against a heated rival? However, one team is a massive favorite here, while the other is having a dreadful start to the 2025-26 campaign.

Rangers in Dire Need of a Bounce-Back Effort

Even though Rangers will be at home for this match, it’s hard to trust them in any circumstances based on their recent form. Manager Russell Martin is under heavy pressure after the shocking elimination against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League playoffs, and the team has won only one of their last five matches across all competitions (W1, D1, L3).

Having lost the tie against Brugge by a 9-1 aggregate score, drawing against St. Mirren in the previous Premiership match and barely getting past Alloa in the Scottish League Cup doesn’t exactly scream top form for the Ibrox outfit. Plus, they’re recorded three straight 1-1 draws to open the league campaign, which is an embarrassing start for a club as big as Rangers.

Rangers Injury & Suspension News

Rangers will be without Hamza Igamane and Dujon Sterling. Igamane is not available due to an impeding transfer, while Sterling is working his way back from an Achilles injury. The rest of the should be available for this clash.

Celtic Looking to Inflict Another Wound to Their Rival

In non-shocking news, Celtic are looking utterly dominant at the start of a new Scottish Premier League season – again. The ‘Bhoys’ have a perfect record of points after the opening three matches, and their latest game finished with a solid 3-0 victory over Livingston. Through their first three outings, Celtic have scored six goals while conceding none while posting a 6.4 xG and a 1.1 xGA. That 5.3 xG net rating is the highest in the league by a sizable margin.

However, and just like Rangers, Celtic are also coming off a disappointing exit in the Champions League playoffs. While they weren’t thrashed like their bitter rivals, they surrendered the chance to qualify to the league phase of the competition after losing to Kairat Almaty, from Kazakhstan, on penalties. That’s not how Celtic planned their season, as the coaching staff built a squad capable of competing in the UCL, not the Europa League.

Celtic Injury & Suspension News

Similar to Rangers, Celtic won’t have a lot of absences for this match. Alistair Johnston, Jota and Auston Trusty are out, but the rest of the squad should be fit and available. Expect Benjamin Nygren, one of the top scorers in the SPL with three goals in three matches, to lead the attack for Celtic.

Celtic Prediction

There’s no question Celtic are overwhelming favorites for this match. They have looked absolutely dominant at the domestic level, while Rangers have barely managed to compete against lesser opponents. Even though Rangers enter this game on a four-game undefeated streak in the H2H against Celtic (W2, D2), the “Bhoys” should snap that negative run with a comfortable victory this time around.

CryptoGamba tip: Celtic to win – 1.90 @ Stake