Celtic vs Rangers is always a highlight in Scottish football, especially at Celtic Park where the hosts look to leverage their home advantage. Celtic's recent high-scoring performances contrast with Rangers' resilient defensive record. Tactical plans will likely revolve around Celtic maintaining possession, while Rangers adopt a counter-attacking approach, which could turn this fixture into a fiercely contested battle.
Check out our complete thoughts below.
These are our top betting tips and predictions for the match.
A balanced choice is the double chance bet on draw or Rangers, considering the close recent encounters and similar form indicators.
Both teams have demonstrated consistent goalscoring in recent fixtures. Betting on both teams to score is a promising market in this encounter.
The game is likely to fall under 2.5 goals considering recent tight results and defensive stability, especially with Celtic at home.
Expect a cautious start with balanced possession, but Rangers might edge the first half, potentially leading to a narrow away win or draw by fulltime.
Celtic vs Rangers on January 3, 2026, looks set to be a tightly contested match with both sides capable of earning at least a point. Recent head-to-heads and balanced team form suggest a draw or narrow win for Rangers appears probable.
Recent encounters show Rangers with a slight edge over Celtic, winning 62% of the last 13 matches, including notable victories at Celtic Park which underscore their resilience.
Both teams have key players available, but Celtic's defense might be slightly weakened if any of their defenders are unavailable, while Rangers also have a full squad ready for this crucial fixture.
Expected formations for Celtic (4-3-3) emphasizing possession and midfield control, while Rangers (4-2-3-1) may focus on counter-attacks and quick transitions, matching their usual tactical styles.
Celtic’s recent form shows a 60% win rate over their last 5 matches, with notable home victories, while Rangers are not far behind with a 67% form and strong away performances. Both sides are finely balanced heading into this fixture.
See below all the main information for this match.
The match on January 3, 2026, at Celtic Park is predicted to end in a draw due to both teams' close recent form and tight head-to-head statistics.
Both teams have shown excellent recent performances, with Celtic having a slight edge in scoring and recent wins. Rangers' form suggests they are capable of challenging Celtic, making a draw or narrow victory likely.
Historical results and current form indicate a balanced contest. Celtic's home advantage does not guarantee a win, as Rangers have a strong record on the road. Expect a closely fought game.
The match is expected to be tactically competitive, with Celtic likely employing a possession-based approach at home and Rangers possibly favoring counter-attacks on the away side.
Key absences due to injuries or suspensions could influence team strategies. For Celtic, the potential unavailability of key defenders might affect their defensive solidity, while Rangers' attacking options could be impacted by absences upfront.
Premier League
