The hour of truth is almost upon the Big Two as they prepare for a game
that could be decisive in deciding the final destination of the
championship. A 9-point lead for Rangers and a gap-closing win for Celtic are the more immediate prizes at stake.
However, Martin O’Neill’s stubbornness in forever playing 3 at the back
despite McLeish effortlessly countering this with attacking flanks, means
that for the third time this season Rangers would expect at least a brace
against their rivals. Providing neither manager changes the script of
course.
At the other end, the Rangers defence had looked pretty shaky during
the previous encounters. Twice predictions of a 3-1 correct score were
shattered when dodgy defending ended the scores 3-3 and 3-2.
Celtic are not on top of their form in the SPL since losing Larsson and
only managed last gasp goals against Livingstone and Hibs to scrape
desperate victorys from their last two games. But they will be well up for this
encounter, as it is crucial to their own Championship hopes.
Rangers however only need focus on their usual attacking plan for
90-minutes and they should have little problems. Danger lies in any attempts to play for the draw or lack of concentration, particularly in defence. Celtic
are more than capable of taking advantage of any lapses in effort.
FORECAST: 3-1 Rangers. Although 3-2 looks a nice hedge at 25’s.
Correct Score Odds:
Rangers to win:
1-0 7/1
2-0 12/1
2-1 9/1
3-0 28/1
3-1 25/1
3-2 25/1
Draw
0-0 8/1
1-1 11/2
2-2 14/1
3-3 50/1
First Player To Score: De Boer looks good value at 13/2 although a wee
interest in Amoruso at 25’s can’t be ignored as Lorenzo will be well
up for
this one as usual, but may have added motivation due to recent events
involving certain “Celtic-Minded” mischeif-makers. So will be looking
out for a few determined sorties upfield from the Italian.
Full odds for first Rangers player to score are-
Arveladze 6/1
Mols 13/2
Thompson/Lovenkrands 7/1
De Boer 15/2
Caniggia 8/1
Ferguson 9/1
McCann 14/1
Arteta\Bonnisel 20/1
AMORUSO 25/1
Ricksen\Hughes 28/1
Numan Moore 40/1
Muscat/Malcom 50/1
Own Goal 25/1
Half Time/Full Time Forecasts:
If we are expecting an outright win, then it’s Rangers\Rangers for me
albeit at a miserable 4/1.
Celtic/Draw 16/1
Celtic\Rangers 28/1
Draw/Draw 4/1
Draw/Rangers 5/1
Rangers\Draw 16/1
RANGERS\RANGERS 4/1
Fixed Odds.
Rangers are at 9/5 with Stanley’s. Hearts 5/4 to beat Livingstone makes
a nice 6/1 double for those want icing on the cake. Treble fans can take
their pick from Clyde (away to St Mirren) in Division one or Airdrie at home
to Dumbarton in the league below, both good value at 5/4 giving 14/1 for
the treble. Braver punters would get 32/1 from all four.
Or mix and match from the next six from below:
SPL-Dundee v KILMARNOCK 2/1. MOTHERWELL 11/10 v Aberdeen
SFL 1-ROSS COUNTY v Inverness CT 8/5
Nationwide Div 2-WYCOME 11/10 v Brentford BRISTOL ROVERS 11/10 v
Shrewsbury.
Nationwide Div 3-HULL 11/10 v Oxford
All prices qouted from Stanleybet at stanleybet.com