Celtic vs Rangers preview: Gers chase back-to-back wins against arch-rivals | OneFootball

Celtic and Rangers meet for the second time in seven days on Sunday, but the setting and stakes will be very different when they clash in the Scottish Premiership at Parkhead.

Rangers produced one of their best performances of the season last weekend, beating Celtic 3-0 at Ibrox in the League Cup quarter-finals.

The Gers now have the chance to follow that up with another victory over their biggest rivals. Unfortunately, the numbers suggest that will be a difficult task.

Celtic have won all six of their league matches this season and sit five points clear of Rangers at the top of the table.

The champions have also lost just two of their last 12 home meetings with Rangers across all competitions.

However, recent head-to-head history also shows that this fixture has become increasingly unpredictable.

Rangers have enjoyed recent success

Last Sunday’s 3-0 victory was Rangers’ second win over Celtic in their last six meetings, while they have now avoided defeat in seven of the previous 10 encounters.

The Gers also won 3-1 at Parkhead in January. Their wider league form has improved significantly.

Rangers failed to win either of their opening two Premiership matches, drawing with Dundee United before losing 1-0 to Hibernian.

They have subsequently won four consecutive league games against Aberdeen, Falkirk, Motherwell and St Mirren.

Rangers have now won seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, with their only defeat coming against Jablonec.

Celtic’s perfect league record

Celtic have been considerably more consistent domestically.

Their six league victories have produced 14 goals, while they have conceded just three. They are also unbeaten in their last 13 Premiership matches, stretching back to March.

However, that impressive run has not carried into their most recent results.

Celtic have lost their last two matches, falling 3-0 to Rangers before suffering a 3-1 Europa League defeat against Ferencvaros.

Their home record against Rangers is still a major factor.

Celtic have won six of their last eight league meetings with Rangers at Parkhead (D1, L1).

Team news

Rangers are without Lawrence Shankland because of a hamstring injury, while Youssef Chermiti is ruled out with a cruciate ligament problem.

Kevin Kelsy is expected to lead the line again after scoring against Celtic last weekend, with Rangers potentially naming an unchanged XI.

Celtic are without Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand and Jota, while Yang Hyun-jun is with South Korea at the Asian Games.

Benjamin Nygren and Kasper Hogh are among those expected to come into the starting XI after the midweek defeat.