Celtic v Rangers predictions: Old Firm rivals should put on a show in semi-final

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Celtic v Rangers in the Scottish Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

Where to watch

Premier Sports 1 & 2, 2pm Sunday

Best bet

Over 2.5 goals
1pt Evs bet365, Betfair, Hills

Team news

Celtic
Daizen Maeda could start up front as Giorgos Giakoumakis (hamstring) is out and Kyogo Furuhashi only returned to action against St Johnstone last weekend.

Rangers
Alfredo Morelos and Filip Helander are out for the season but Borna Barisic should be fit despite suffering a bout of cramp against Braga on Thursday.

Match preview

Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers clash for a fourth time this season and their Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park promises to be a lively contest.

The Gers have saved their best performances for the Europa League this season but they were taken into extra-time before seeing off Braga in Thursday night's quarter-final second leg.

Rangers may still be feeling the effect of those gruelling 120 minutes when they step out at Hampden although it would be wrong to write off the chances of a side who have produced some rip-roaring European displays this term.

Celtic, six points clear in the Scottish Premiership title race, have been the better side domestically. The Bhoys were beaten 1-0 by Rangers in their first meeting of 2021-22, however, and their narrow 2-1 win at Ibrox earlier this month does not suggest Ange Postecoglou's men are great-value 11-10 shots at a neutral venue.

Celtic have been scoring for fun against the rest of the Premiership, putting seven goals past struggling St Johnstone last weekend. Prior to that impressive win, the Bhoys scored three at Livingston and Dundee United and notched four times at home to Ross County.

Clearly, they face a step up in class against the Gers but that doesn't mean the goals will dry up. There have been 14 goals in the last five Old Firm derbies and their cup semi-final may well go over the 2.5 line.

Another free-flowing attacking contest, much like the one at Ibrox earlier this month, can be expected so backing over 2.5 goals at even-money looks the way to play.

Key stat

There have been 23 goals in Celtic's last six matches.

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