Scottish Premier League - Rangers v Celtic betting preview

IBROX, GLASGOW - The first Old Firm game of the season is always worth waiting for and this one is no different as Rangers and Celtic take their usual spots at the top of the SPL table. Rangers may be in financial strife, but on the park they are faring well domestically and sit a point above their bitter rivals after six matches.

The home side are quoted at best odds of 6/4 (bet £4 to make £6 profit) to win the match with Paddy Power and William Hill, while Celtic are a top priced 2/1 shot with Ladbrokes and Victor Chandler to win the match and move to the top of the table. The draw is available at best odds of 12/5 with Skybet.

Celtic are currently odds on favourites to win the SPL at best odds of 8/13 with bet365 and Coral but a win for Rangers in this would see those odds change as the Gers would have a four point lead at the top. Rangers are top priced at 11/8 at Victor Chandler to retain their title.

This match will be key in the title race, as are all Old Firm ties. Celtic probably have a better squad but Rangers have been shown to have a really tight nit group and will be full of desire to take all three points on their home turf. This desire will be especially strong seeing as Rangers didn't beat Celtic at Ibrox in the SPL last season.

In the over/under betting market the top price on over 2.5 goals in the match is the 5/4 offered by William Hill. Under 2.5 can be backed at best odds of 8/11 with Stan James and Boylesports.

Nikica Jelavic is favourite to score the first goal of the game and is top priced at 11/2 in William Hill's first goalscorer market. Rangers top scorer so far this season Steven Naismith is quoted at best odds of 7/1 at Coral to give the home side the lead. Celtic forward Gary Hooper is one of the leading contenders for the Golden Boot and is available at best odds of 7/1 at Paddy Power and Sportingbet to score the first goal of the match.

Rangers are quoted at best odds of 7/2 with Boylesports to win the match after leading at half-time, while draw/Rangers is a top priced 5/1 chance with Stan James and Coral. Celtic/Celtic can be backed at best odds of 9/2 with William Hill and Boylesports, with draw/Celtic quoted at best odds of 11/2 with bet365 and Paddy Power.

The match kicks off at 1230 BST Sunday 18th September and is live on Sky Sports 2

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