THE OLD FIRM DERBY: The Striker previews Wednesday’s Old Firm clash between CELTIC v RANGERS with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

CELTIC V RANGERS

7.45pm We have a massive Old Firm Derby on Wednesday night on BETDAQ Betting Exchange! It’s fair to say that Scottish football has lost some of its appeal over the last while with the dip in form from Celtic and then Steven Gerrard leaving Rangers, but this is a good chance to put Scottish football back in the limelight. The Premier League are on their winter break, and when you look at the table you can see what a big game this is.

At the moment, Rangers top the table by four points ahead of Celtic. As usual, the two clubs are so far ahead of the others they don’t have to worry about other results. You have to say that this is a must win game for Celtic, because even a draw wouldn’t be a great result given they would need Rangers to slip up more than once, and that’s asking a lot against the weaker sides in Scotland. A loss for Celtic would likely see the title race over, as they aren’t coming back from being seven points behind at this stage of the season.

So, a lot on the line then. Both sides arrive into the Old Firm Derby after an eventful weekend. Celtic needed a 90th minute winner to beat Dundee United after getting a man sent off in the 81st minute. That goal was massive as it makes this game so much more important, a draw would have been a huge setback. At the same time, Rangers could only draw 3-3 with Ross County and that follows on from their recent 1-1 draw with Aberdeen. It seems Celtic have the better momentum coming into this fixture, and you could argue that Rangers should already have the title won but they have let the gap close.

I find it’s always hard to fully judge Rangers and Celtic in Scotland because the quality of opposition is so low most weeks. They still drop points, a bit like PSG in France really, but they have to massively under-perform to do so plus you have to consider every club wants to beat them so they up their own game. I would worry about Rangers dropping points away from home recently, but over all they have been much better than Celtic this season.

That being said, Celtic started the season very poorly and they have improved as the season has gone on. Home advantage is always a factor in the Old Firm Derby, and Celtic are much more comfortable at home in general. Although I do have my worries about Rangers recently, Celtic look too short here around the 2.24 mark. They haven’t been at their best this season, and I expect a closer game than those odds suggest. I don’t disagree with the market in the sense that Celtic should be favourites, they have home advantage of course, but I wouldn’t have them as short as they are. From a value point of view, I’m happy to lay the home win.

The Striker Says:
Two points lay (liability) Celtic to beat Rangers at 2.24 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.

You can view all markets here -> https://bit.ly/BDQOldFir