Rangers vs. Celtic and Pick to Win
Date:Sunday, March 11th, 2017
Where: Scottish Premier League Celtic Park – Glasgow, UK
by Keith, Professional Soccer/Football Handicapper, Predictem
Match Odds: Rangers 5/2, Celtic 1/1, Draw 27/10
Moneyline:Rangers +250, Celtic +100, Draw +270
Over/Under Best Market: UNDER 2.5 1/1 (+100)
Arguably, there is no fiercer rivalry in all of world soccer than that of Celtics and Rangers. The Celtics and Rangers have had such acrimony that the rivalry was suspended at one point due to escalations between both sides. The two Glaswegian soccer clubs have often been the two teams that have fought nip and tuck for the Scottish Premier League crown on an annual basis. This game will decide the fate of the league as Celtic hold a six-point lead in the Scottish Premier League table. Rangers are the team in second and they can contend for the title with a win here. A win for Celtic wraps up the league. The two teams met twice earlier this season. Celtic defeated Rangers 2-0 in September only to follow it up with a 0-0 draw in December.
The Rangers have been in exceptional form to say the least. This team has put up numbers that are absolutely staggering. The Rangers have won their last six outings, Celtic have won their last two respectively. The Hoops are currently under the captainship of skipper Brendan Rodgers who went belly up in his efforts at Liverpool in the English Premier League. Needless to say Rodgers has this team currently in position to repeat as Scottish Premier League Champion after they dominated the league in the 2016/17 campaign.
For Rangers, they have to be enthusiastic about their overall outlook on the season. Rangers currently stand in second position after they have wreaked havoc in the league with every team they have come across. As mentioned, they have an outside shot at the title still but will have to notch a win here against an opponent that always shows up to play against them. Celtic has a lot to play for in the sense this fixture is at home and this outfit prides itself on being very dangerous on its own pitch. Celtic would love nothing more than to destroy their arch nemesis at home with all their fanatical supporters in attendance whilst clinching the title as they do. The odds would suggest that the Hoops are in position to win here as the market has predicated the fact that a Rangers victory and draw are virtually one in the same.
Given the fact, we get Celtic at home without juice that in itself is something worth looking further into. Moreover, a large majority have actually fancied the Rangers given the number offered. When markets offer a lofty takeback and the public smothers it as a result, that is often a sign that it has a lower probability of success. This will not be a game where a draw is on the table for either party given what is at stake in this contest. While Celtic winning is a value play in the sense of high probability, the juice always makes it risky as one poor result can submarine a bankroll. Fortunately for us, we dont have to concern ourselves with that and can grab this club at a much friendlier price. In terms of Over/Unders, both teams love to score and the best suggestion would be going where there is a profitable return if one party ignites. However, this will not likely be the case. Both teams will play this game close to the hip and look for one pivotal goal to notch the win. The UNDER 2.5 offers a good price at evens, as well. The OVER 2.5 is offered at the same price but we essentially need one more goal, therefore the value is on playing below the number. This potential two-unit play can end with a yield of two units if both are successful.
Rangers Recent Form
W Falkirk 4-1
W St. Johnstone 4-1
W Hearts 2-0
W Hamilton Academical 5-3
W Ayr United 6-1
Celtic Recent Form
W Morton 3-0
W Aberdeen 2-0
L Zenit St. Petersburg 0-3
D St. Johnstone 0-0
W Zenit St. Petersburg 1-0
Keith’s Prediction for the Game: CELTIC 1/1 (+100) and UNDER 2.5 1/1 (+100)
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