Rangers vs Celtic predictions, betting tips and odds: Expect a high-scoring Old Firm clash

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Where to watch Rangers vs Celtic

You can watch Rangers vs Celtic in the William Hill Scottish Premiership at 3pm on January 2, live on Sky Sports Football

Match prediction & best bet

Over 2.5 goals
1pt 8-11 general

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Rangers vs Celtic odds

Here are the latest odds ahead of Rangers vs Celtic in the William Hill Scottish Premiership on January 2.

Odds correct at time of publishing

Want more top football betting advice? Make sure you take a look at Racing Post Sport's tips for more of the latest picks from our experts.

Rangers vs Celtic predictions

Celtic have been in a class of their own in the William Hill Scottish Premiership this season, opening up a 14-point advantage over Old Firm rivals Rangers during the first half of the campaign. 

Bookmakers clearly believe nothing can stop the 1-50 Hoops' relentless march towards a 55th domestic crown and they are 11-10 favourites to stretch their lead even further with victory in the first Old Firm derby of 2025. 

However, the lack of a title race this season will not quell a fearsome Ibrox crowd from demanding Rangers do everything in their power to disrupt their great rivals on Thursday and getting long on goals looks the best play.

Rangers had appeared to be heading in the right direction prior to last month’s Scottish League Cup final against Celtic, when the Light Blues certainly showed that they can compete with the champions at their best. 

It finished 3-3 at Hampden three weeks ago before Celtic edged to a 5-4 win on penalties. And while defeat would have been a tough to swallow for Rangers, their response has been tepid at best. 

The Light Blues squeezed past Dundee 1-0 in their first match after their final defeat but that narrow victory has been followed by a 2-1 defeat at St Mirren and a 2-2 draw away to Motherwell. 

They will need to be much sharper at the back to keep out a rampant Celtic frontline who have plundered 52 goals in 18 league matches and their task has been made harder by the absence of key defenders James Tavernier and John Souttar.

Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, has an embarrassment of riches compared to the rest of the division, especially in attacking positions. Kyogo Furuhashi is arguably the outstanding forward in the top flight, Nicolas Kuhn has enjoyed a breakout season and Arne Engels, Reo Hatate, Callum McGregor and Adam Idah are all reliable sources of goals.

The Bhoys have netted six times in their two meetings with Rangers this season – they won September's league meeting 3-0 in addition to last month's Cup final draw – and it’s difficult to see the champions being kept at bay by a flimsy Rangers rearguard.  

The last 13 Old Firm clashes have produced 43 goals and five of the last six have gone over 2.5 goals. 

Matches between the Glasgow rivals are always fiercely competitive but, given the size of the gap between the pair this season, the shackles may be a little looser than usual.

Key stat

Five of the last six games between Celtic and Rangers have gone over 2.5 goals.

Rangers vs Celtic team news

Rangers
Jack Butland, James Tavernier, John Souttar, Tom Lawrence and Neraysho Kasanwirjo are out and Leon Balogun is a major doubt. Dujon Sterling is likely to deputise at right-back while Leon King could also be handed a start by Gers boss Philippe Clement.

Celtic
James Forrest is Celtic's only notable absentee.

Probable teams

Rangers (4-2-3-1): Kelly; Sterling, King, Propper, Jefte; Raskin, Diomande; Cerny, Bajrami, Igamane; Danilo.
Subs: Dessers, Dowell, McCausland, Barron, Matondo, Kelly, Cortes. 

Celtic (4-3-3):  Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Taylor; Bernardo, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Kyogo, Maeda.
Subs: Ralston, Scales, Idah, McCowan, Hyun-Jun, Valle, Palma.

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