Celtic vs Rangers predictions: Cards look a given in Old Firm rivalry
- There were 12 yellow cards shown in the latest Old Firm derby
- There were 31 yellow and two red cards shown in last season’s five Old Firm matches
- Recommended bet: Over 6.5 cards
Celtic can move six points clear of Rangers at the top of the Scottish Premiership table if they can win Sunday’s first Old Firm derby of the season.
The Gers have made a sticky start to the campaign, but they have the opportunity to land a blow on the champions at Parkhead.
Team news
Cameron Carter-Vickers should be fit to start for Celtic and £11million record signing Arne Engles could make his Hoops debut.
Kyogo Furuhashi and Adam Idah will battle to lead the line for the hosts.
Nicolas Raskin and Rıdvan Yılmaz are out for the visitors, but defender Robin Propper should be fit to return after missing Rangers' 6-0 win over Ross County last weekend.
Leon Balogun is unlikely to play a part, but deadline-day signing Nedim Bajrami could be named in the squad.
The stats
There were 12 yellow cards shown in the latest Old Firm contest.
There were 31 yellow and two red cards shown in last season’s five Old Firm matches.
Referee John Beaton has dished out 28 yellows and one red in the seven games he has taken charge of this season.
There were 14 goals in the five Old Firm games last term.
Eight of the last 12 Old Firm derbies have gone over 2.5 goals.
Celtic have scored 12 goals in their opening four matchers of the season.
Prediction
Celtic are certainly the most like winners of the first Old Firm game of the Scottish Premiership campaign, but there is an element of risk in the 8/13 on offer with LiveScore Bet about the Bhoys beating Rangers at Parkhead on Sunday, given the rivalry between these two.
Rangers have made an unconvincing start to the campaign, and have dropped points already at Hearts, as well as falling to Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League qualification play-off.
The European defeat was certainly a disappointing result for the Light Blues, but Philippe Clement’s men were disciplined and robust in the Dynamo Kiev tie and it was only Jefte’s red card which changed the game in favour of the Ukrainian side.
The Old Firm is one of the most intense and competitive matches in world football, and with a wary Rangers likely to attempt to make it a scrapy and physical clash, backing plenty of cards looks the play.
There were 12 yellow cards dished out by referee Nick Walsh the last time the Glasgow giants met and 31 bookings and two reds in the five Old Firm games last season.
Arbiter John Beaton is in charge at Parkhead on Sunday and the 42-year-old has issued 28 yellows and one red in the seven matches he has officiated this term.
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