Celtic vs Rangers Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Charlie Stewart
The first Old Firm derby of the season hits our televisions screens on Saturday, as Celtic host Rangers.
The home side have made a fine start to the season, picking up 25 points from their first nine games and scoring the most goals in the division.
The Teddy Bears have been in similarly excellent form, going undefeated in all 13 games so far this campaign while conceding just four goals.
The visitors currently sit one point ahead of their opponents, although they have played a game more.
Where to Watch on TV
When is Kick Off? Saturday 17th October
What Time is Kick Off? 12:30 (BST)
Where is it Being Played? Celtic Park
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports (UK)
Referee? John Beaton
Team News
The Bhoys have been hit hard by COVID-19, with Odsonne Edouard, Nir Bitton, and Hatem Abd Elhamed all ruled out due to the virus. Ryan Christie is also being forced to self-isolate after international teammate Stuart Armstrong tested positive.
Scottish wingers James Forrest and Mikey Johnston are sidelined through injury, while former West Ham United man Albian Ajeti is also a doubt.
As for the visitors, Amiens loanee Bongani Zungu is a confirmed absentee due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Manager Steven Gerrard claimed that Kemar Roofe and Joe Aribo are close to returning to action, but added that this game "may be a little too soon" for them. Nikola Katic remains out.
Predicted Lineups
Celtic: Barkas; Jullien, Duffy, Ajer; Frimpong, Brown, Ntcham, McGregor, Laxalt; Elyounoussi, Klimala.
Rangers: McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Barisic; Kamara, Jack; Arfield, Hagi, Kent; Morelos.
Recent Form
Neil Lennon's men come into this game flying high, having won their last eight games in all competitions. They currently lead the Scottish Premiership goalscoring charts, netting 25 times in nine games.
However, nine of these goals have been scored by forwards Ajeti and Edouard, while four of them were assisted by Christie.
Similarly, the Gers have also made an emphatic start to the season, having not lost a game since their Europa League round of 16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen in August.
Crucial to this run of form has been the backline. In the last 12 competitive outings, Rangers have kept nine clean sheets and conceded just four goals.
Here is how both sides have done in their last five fixtures.
Celtic
St. Johnstone 0-2 Celtic (4/10)
FK Sarajevo 0-1 Celtic (1/10)
Celtic 3-0 Hibernian (27/9)
Riga FC 0-1 Celtic (24/9)
Celtic 3-2 Livingston (19/9)
Rangers
Rangers 2-0 Ross County (4/10)
Rangers 2-1 Galatasaray (1/10)
Motherwell 1-5 Rangers (27/9)
Willem II 0-4 Rangers (24/9)
Hibernian 2-2 Rangers (20/9)
Prediction
The Old Firm derby is always a fiery encounter. Last season, the two sides met on three separate occasions, producing 14 yellow cards and three reds.
Steven Gerrard will be desperate for a win to put his side four points clear at the top of the table. Their opponents have won the top flight title every season for the last nine years, so Saturday's fixture could be crucial to ending their reign of atop of the Scottish game.
Both sides are in exceptional form, so it should be interesting to see how it pans out. However, with Celtic missing a number of key individuals, Rangers will fancy themselves to pull off a result.
Prediction: Celtic 1-2 Rangers