Celtic - Rangers predictions and free betting tips [25/05/2024]

Today at 14:00, the final of the Scottish Cup will feature a clash between Celtic and Rangers.

Celtic

Celtic demonstrated their dominance in Scottish football by securing the league title this season, pulling away from their nearest competitor by 8 points. The team not only felt confident in the national championship but also showed ambitions on the international stage, though they unfortunately finished fourth in their Champions League group. Ahead of the Scottish Cup final, the team showcased their prowess, overcoming a series of tough matches, including a tense encounter with Aberdeen, where the Celtics won in a penalty shootout. In the cup tournament, the Celtics sequentially defeated several teams, including a resounding 5:0 victory over Buckie Thistle, as well as wins against St Mirren and Livingston, before clinically beating Aberdeen in a thrilling semi-final. This journey underscores their preparedness and desire to add another cup to their already impressive trophy collection, with the Scottish Cup proudly residing in the club museum 41 times.

Led by Brendan Rodgers, the squad enters the cup final as favourites, bolstered by their recent successes and strong league performances. Last year, the team already displayed their ability to dominate on the field, defeating Rangers 1:0 in the semi-final of the Cup. Today's final will serve as yet another challenge for the "greens" as they strive to affirm their superiority in Scottish football.

Rangers

Rangers reached the final of the Scottish Cup despite some struggles in the current league season, where they finished second, trailing Celtic by 8 points. In the crucial stages of the championship, Rangers dropped points, preventing them from contending for the league title, having won it just once in the past 13 years. Nevertheless, in the Scottish Cup, the team showcased consistency, successively defeating Dumbarton, Ayr United, Hibernian, and Heart of Midlothian, conceding just 1 goal en route to the final. The final stage of the cup tournament presents Rangers with a chance to avenge their league setbacks and demonstrate their prowess. Under Philippe Clement's leadership, the team approached the final in decent form, securing a 2:0 victory over Hearts in the semi-final. Despite mixed results in the recent league matches, their success in the cup highlights their ability to focus on key fixtures.

Rangers' captain James Tavernier, despite a dip in form over the last 7 matches where he hasn't scored and has only made two assists, remains a pivotal figure in the team's quest for success. The underdog status in the final against Celtic could serve as extra motivation for Rangers to prove they can triumph at the highest level. This final offers Rangers a chance to secure a trophy that will highlight their resilience and ability to overcome obstacles.

Head-to-Head

In the last 5 head-to-head encounters in the Premiership between Celtic and Rangers, Celtic holds the advantage with three wins, including the most recent match on 11 May 2024, which ended 2:1. However, Rangers have also shown their strength, clinching an emphatic 3:0 victory on 13 May 2023 and drawing 3:3 on 7 April 2024, highlighting their ability to compete evenly with their main rivals.

Match Prediction: Celtic vs Rangers

One match, and Rangers are highly motivated to challenge their arch-rivals, making the current form of the teams less significant. The nominal visitors have already defeated their fierce opponent in 2023, so why not do it again, especially with such appealing odds?