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Rangers host Celtic in Scottish Premiership this afternoon, with the visitors looking to extend their 14-point lead at the top of the table.
Brendan Rodgers’ side have dominated at home so far this term, picking up 50 points before the end of the year, as well as winning the League Cup final against their old rivals earlier this month.
With most of the focus likely to be on the club’s quest to qualify for the next round of the Champions League in January, a win today would go some way towards potentially taking the title into their hands in May.
Rangers have struggled in recent weeks in the league, having drawn against Motherwell and lost to St Mirren in their last two matches, and Philippe Clement’s side already look as if their title challenge could collapse before 2025 begins, although today’s victory could bring him back into the fight.
Here’s everything you need to know before the game:
When is Rangers v Celtic?
Rangers v Celtic kicks off at 15:00 GMT on Thursday 2 January at Ibrox in Glasgow, Scotland.
How do I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Footballstarting at 2 p.m.
If you don’t have a Sky Sports subscription, you can buy a NOWTV day pass.
If you want to stream major sporting events while traveling or watching from abroad, you’ll need a VPN. Take it the best VPN offers in the UK. Viewers using a VPN must ensure that they comply with all local regulations where they are located, as well as the terms of their service provider.
Team news
For Rangers, Thomas Lawrence is a doubt after going down in the last few matches with a knock, while John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo are not expected until later in the month.
Hamza Igamane and Vaclav Cerny could return to the forward line, and Nicolas Raskin is likely to be in midfield. Jack Butland will also miss out after being admitted to hospital with internal bleeding.
Celtic will miss Odin Holm and James Forrest but have no further injury problems after the win over St. Johnstone.
Rodgers is likely to go with the same quiet back five he has used for most of the season, although captain Callum McGregor could return to the middle in a deeper role.
In the forward line, the only ‘likely’ change would be Daizen Maeda coming in for Yang Hyun-Jun.
Confirmed lineups
Rangers XI: Kelly, Ridvan, Propper, Sterling, Jephte, Raskin, Diomande, Bajrami, Hagi, Cerny, Igamane
Subs: Munn, Cortes, Barron, Dessers, Matondo, Dowell, King, Fraser, Danilo
Celtic XI: Schmeichel, Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Taylor, McGregor, Bernardo, Hatate, Kuhn, Maeda, Kyogo
Subs: Sinisalo, Trusty, Palma, Idah, Valle, Yang, McCowan, Engels, Ralston
Odds
Rangers to win 2/1
Draw 5/2
Celtic win 5/4
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Prediction
In these derbies, all form goes out the window, and the recent League Cup final between these two teams produced a 3-3 draw in normal time. With the league leaders 14 points clear, it’s certainly hard to see them losing, although they could settle for a draw on the day.
Rangers 2-2 Celtic.
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