Celtic vs Rangers betting tips: Scottish Cup semi-final preview, predictions and odds

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Celtic have won their last 17 matches at Hampden, dating back to a penalty shootout defeat to Rangers exactly six years ago to the day. There have been four Glasgow Derbies at the National Stadium since then with Celtic winning all four, scoring eight and conceding none. The Hoops are aiming for three successive Old Firm victories for the first time since 2018.

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Both teams to score is 19/20.

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 7/5.

Celtic to win and over 2.5 goals is 5/2.

Kyōgo Furuhashi is 15/4 to break the deadlock and 5/4 to score anytime.

Kemar Roofe is 6/1 to scored first and 21/10 to score in 90 minutes..

Match preview

This certainly isn't often the case, but it could yet turn out to be a very fruitful and memorable season for both Celtic and Rangers.

The Celts are on course for a fifth domestic treble in just six seasons, having already secured the League Cup back in December.

Ange Postecoglou's men currently sit six points clear at the top of the Premiership, thanks in part to their 2-1 victory at Ibrox a fortnight ago.

That day, Aaron Ramsey fired Rangers in front after just three minutes, but goals from Tom Rogic and Cameron Carter-Vickers secured an away win in Govan.

So, the Hoops need just ten points from their post-split fixtures, including a home Old Firm on 1 May, to wrestle back the title.

Remember, this season's Premiership Champions will qualify for the Champions League group stages, unless Villarreal win this season's edition.

Speaking of continental competitions, whilst the defence of their league hasn't gone to plan, Thursday nights have been where Rangers have excelled.

Just last Thursday, the Light Blues took on Braga in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final, having lost 1-0 in Portugal a week earlier.

When James Tavernier's brace had the Gers 2-0 up at half time, against ten-men no less, they looked set to cruise into the semi-finals.

However, with their first serious attack of the whole game, Braga scored from a corner, thereby forcing extra time.

Nevertheless, Kemar Roofe struck early in the additional half hour before any hopes of a Braga comeback were extinguished when they went down to nine-men.

So, Giovanni van Bronckhorst has guided Rangers to their first European semi-final for 14 years, in which they'll face RB Leipzig later this month.

Before then, with the league title almost certainly out of reach, their best chance of domestic silverware is certainly in this competition.

Rangers are 33-times winners of the Scottish Cup, but haven't lifted this trophy since 2009, or any domestic cup for that matter since 2011.

Will it be the reigning champions or the league-leaders who win at Hampden, and set-up a final date against either Hearts of Hibs?

Celtic team news

Ange Postecoglou could have a decision to make up front after Georgios Giakoumakis hobbled off just 27 minutes into last weekend's hammering of St Johnstone.

In that game, Kyōgo Furuhashi came off the bench for his first appearance since Boxing Day due to a bad knee injury.

The Japanese striker, who scored a magnificent brace in December's League Cup Final, could start here if Giakoumakis isn't available.

Jota and the incredibly hard-working Daizen Maeda are the leading candidates to complete the front three, meaning Liel Abada could miss out.

Postecoglou has midfield options too; Callum McGregor will be joined by two of Reo Hatate, David Turnbull, Matt O'Riley or Tom Rogic.

Hatate announced himself as a Celtic player with a brace, and an assist, in February's Old Firm, while Rogic has scored six times in derbies to date.

Centre-backs Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers, who scored at Ibrox a fortnight ago, have never lost a domestic game when starting together.

Rangers team news

In truth, there isn't that much to separate these two teams so, the fact Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side played 120 minutes on Thursday, could certainly count against them.

The champions are also without talismanic centre-forward Alfredo Morelos, who suffered a calf strain with Colombia last month.

Kemar Roofe's hat-trick at St Mirren last Sunday, and winner on Thursday, emphasis that he is the most able deputy.

Manchester United loanee Amad scored a brace on his debut, but hasn't started at all since being hooked at half time at Parkhead in February.

Aaron Ramsey played 80 minutes from the right-hand-side on Thursday, but they'll be hoping he's fit enough to start this one too.

Filip Helander went off injured in Paisley last weekend, so isn't expected to feature again this season.

Thus, after a vintage performance in midweek, Borna Barišić could continue at left-back with Calvin Bassey alongside Connor Goldson in the middle.

Allan McGregor and Steven Davis are the only two current players who were involved when Rangers last won the Scottish Cup, beating Falkirk 13 years ago.

Scottish Premiership table:

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