Rangers vs Celtic Predictions & Tips - Tight League Cup Clash Expected at Ibrox
Rangers and Celtic face off at Ibrox in a highly anticipated Scottish League Cup quarter-final. Both teams enter the contest in strong league form, with Rangers on a four-match winning streak and Celtic still boasting a perfect start domestically. Historically, their clashes have been closely contested, with Celtic holding a narrow recent advantage. Both sides struggle to keep clean sheets in head-to-head encounters, suggesting goals from each. The prediction leans toward both teams scoring and the match requiring at least extra time or penalties to determine a winner.
- Rangers host unbeaten Celtic in League Cup quarter-final
- BTTS/Draw tipped in Sunday’s showdown in Glasgow
- Get our Rangers vs Celtic tips in the Scottish League Cup
- Rangers vs Celtic Predictions
- Competitive Contest Expected at Ibrox
- Celtic Hold Narrow H2H Advantage
- Rangers Extend Winning Run
- Celtic Maintain Perfect League Start
- Rangers vs Celtic Team News
Rangers vs Celtic Predictions
Rangers and Celtic meet at Ibrox on Sunday in a heavyweight Scottish League Cup quarter-final.
Both teams are in solid form, and this tie could well go the distance.
I have a stake on BTTS, while I also expect a draw in 90 minutes.
Competitive Contest Expected at Ibrox
- Rangers have seen BTTS in 6 of their last 8 matches against Celtic
- Celtic have drawn 5 of their last 6 away matches against Rangers
- Celtic have seen BTTS in 6 of their last 7 away matches (competitive fixtures)
Celtic Hold Narrow H2H Advantage
Rangers and Celtic have met on 32 occasions since 2020. Rangers won 11 of those matches, while Celtic claimed 13 victories. Eight matches finished level.
Celtic secured a 3-1 league victory in the most recent encounter in May. Each of their last four meetings at Ibrox finished level, including an entertaining 2-2 share of the spoils in March.
Rangers Extend Winning Run
Rangers return to Ibrox after claiming a dramatic 1-0 victory against St Mirren on Wednesday.
Forgotten forward Bojan Miovski stepped off the bench to score a stoppage-time winner as Derek McInnes's side secured a fourth successive Premiership victory.
The Gers controlled much of the first half before overcoming a frustrating second period to secure a deserved victory in front of a buoyant Ibrox crowd.
McInnes’s men were good value for the points. The Glasgow giants registered 18 efforts on goal, while final xG totals of 2.13 to 1.10 reflected their superior attacking threat.
Rangers have also improved defensively, keeping clean sheets in four of their last six matches, including three 1-0 Premiership victories.
Against Celtic, Rangers have a less impressive defensive record. The Gers failed to keep a clean sheet in 13 of 16 encounters over the past three years. Ten of those matches finished with both teams on the scoresheet.
While narrow underdogs this weekend, their recent record in the Old Firm derby offers some encouragement. Rangers lost only one of their last six meetings with Celtic in 90 minutes and dominated the goalless Scottish Cup tie at Ibrox in March before losing on penalties.
Celtic Maintain Perfect League Start
Celtic make the short trip across Glasgow after grinding out a 1-0 victory against St Johnstone on Wednesday.
Mika Baur scored the only goal early in the second half as Martin O'Neill's much-changed side made it six wins from six Premiership fixtures.
The Hoops were not at their best in Perth, with debutant goalkeeper Sam Johnstone required to make a crucial first-half save before Baur broke the deadlock.
Still, Celtic were deserved winners, with a final xG of 2.22 compared to the Saints' 0.77.
Celtic have responded well to their disastrous Champions League exit against LASK, winning four successive domestic matches since throwing away a four-goal aggregate advantage in Austria.
On the road, the Hoops have struggled to keep clean sheets in 2026. O’Neill’s men conceded at least one goal in 11 of 14 competitive away games since mid-January.
Rangers vs Celtic Team News
Rangers: (4-2-3-1) Ivor Pandur; Kosta Nedeljkovic, Emmanuel Fernandez, Olwethu Makhanya, James Penrice; Nico Raskin, Dan Neil; Badredine Bouanani, Minsu Kim, Djeidi Gassama; Bojan Miovski
Rangers boss McInnes is expected to make changes to his first XI this weekend. Bojan Miovski is pushing for a first start after scoring Wednesday's late winner.
The hosts have four confirmed absentees. Lawrence Shankland and Daisuke Yokota are in London for surgery, with both set for months on the sidelines.
Youssef Chermiti is another long-term injury victim, but Tuur Rommens is back in first-team training and could return to the squad.
Kevin Kelsy and Badredine Bouanani made their first starts against St Mirren but may drop out should McInnes opt to freshen his forward line.
Speaking after the narrow win against St Mirren on Wednesday, McInnes told BBC Scotland:
"I thought we got what we deserved"
"Granted, St Mirren had a 20-minute period in the second half when they were better than us - they played with a bit more belief and came after us, and we were guilty of so many poor decisions," he told BBC Scotland.
"But I thought the performance for the first hour was really strong, particularly the first half, where we absolutely battered St Mirren.
Celtic: (4-3-3) Sam Johnstone; Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Kieran Tierney; Callum McGregor, Mika Baur, Benjamin Nygren; Haissem Hassan, Camilo Duran, Sebastian Tounekti
Celtic boss O'Neill is likely to recall several players after rotating his side for Wednesday's narrow victory in Perth.
O'Neill rested leading scorer Camilo Duran from the starting XI against St Johnstone, while Kieran Tierney and Kasper Hogh both returned from injury and are likely to come into the side this weekend.
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill was pleased to collect all three points but admitted his side should have made the victory more comfortable.
"A win is a win. I'm not sure what to make of it, really. We could've scored a number of goals, particularly after we scored.
"It's difficult to score goals; there's no question about it. We made it look impossible. Delighted to have won the game. Lots to still improve on."
Verdict
Rangers and Celtic meet with a place in the League Cup semi-final on the line.
Both teams will fancy their chances, but I expect this contest to need extra time or penalties to find a winner.
BTTS is my first pick, while I also fancy a low-score draw at Ibrox.
Both teams will fancy their chances, but I expect this contest to need extra time or penalties to find a winner.
BTTS is my first pick, while I also fancy a low-score draw at Ibrox.
BTTS
Both Teams to Score
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Draw
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