Rangers vs Celtic Prediction 31.08.2025
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Rangers vs Celtic Prediction
Rangers vs Celtic Prediction and Betting Tips for the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership first Old Firm derby, set for Sunday at Ibrox Stadium. Rangers enter the match reeling from a 9-1 aggregate loss to Club Brugge in Champions League qualifiers, while Celtic were knocked out on penalties by Kairat Almaty. In this article, you’ll discover Premiership Predictions from XpertStats experts for this highly charged clash.
- Rangers have drawn all three league games so far, struggling for goals under Russell Martin.
- Celtic are top of the table with a perfect start and have yet to concede in the Premiership.
- Both clubs exited European competition last week, adding extra pressure to this Old Firm clash.
- Key players like James Tavernier and Benjamin Nygren could prove decisive in Sunday’s showdown.
Rangers’ start under new boss Russell Martin has been underwhelming. Three draws from three league games mark the first time since 1989 that the Gers failed to win any of their opening Premiership matches. Their attack has struggled to click, scoring only three goals between Tavernier and Curtis, and the defensive lapses in Europe won’t have boosted morale. Can Martin really turn things around in front of a passionate Ibrox crowd?
Even so, Celtic arrive full of confidence domestically. Brendan Rodgers’ side have won all three of their league matches, maintaining a clean sheet in each. Benjamin Nygren has been a standout, creating 12 chances and scoring three of the Hoops’ four league goals. That attacking threat combined with a rock-solid defence gives Celtic a psychological edge, even if recent European heartbreak lingers. The Bhoys are yet to be truly tested by a top-flight rival this season, making this derby a real litmus test.
Team news could influence tactics significantly. Rangers remain without Dujon Sterling, but key players like Tavernier are expected to start, and several fringe players might be given a chance to shine. Celtic, meanwhile, will miss Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, and Jota, yet Rodgers has a balanced squad capable of exploiting the Gers’ defensive frailties. With Kieran Tierney returning to the side, Celtic’s backline should be harder to breach than Rangers’ recent opponents.
Historically, the Old Firm has thrown up surprises, and this clash is no exception. Rangers have managed two wins in their last three league encounters with Celtic, yet Celtic have dominated recent season-openers. With Rangers desperate to stem the growing pressure and Celtic aiming to maintain their perfect start, it’s shaping up to be a tense, tactical battle. Our tipsters lean toward Premiership Predictions favouring the visitors, though anything can happen in this fixture full of history and rivalry.
Celtic’s perfect start in the Premiership makes them the clear favourites to claim victory at Ibrox. They have won all three league matches so far, scoring four goals without conceding. Benjamin Nygren has been central to their success, contributing to 67% of the team’s league goals and leading in chances created. Rangers, by contrast, have struggled to find the net, scoring only three goals in three games and conceding six in Europe. The Bhoys’ defensive record in the league is also stronger, with Kieran Tierney set to anchor the backline. European disappointment may motivate Celtic to channel energy into domestic dominance, and Rangers’ inconsistent form suggests they may fail to cope with the visitors’ attack. With Celtic’s balance between attack and defence, their efficiency in scoring opportunities, and Rangers’ ongoing struggles, a Celtic win appears the most likely outcome in this Old Firm encounter.
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