There have been 14 Old Firm finals in the history of the Scottish League Cup since the competition was first staged in the 1946-47 season.
It may not be the most prestigious cup competition in Scotland but this Sunday’s final between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden has added significance given the toe-to-toe battle between the sides for top spot in the Premiership. Steven Gerrard is also still looking for his first piece of managerial silverware and Rangers a first League Cup win since 2011. Celtic are bidding for a fourth League Cup in a row.
Scottish League Cup Betting at Betway
Rangers Form and Team News
Rangers have only lost once on the home front this season but that was against Celtic at Ibrox at the beginning of September.
The Light Blues still have high hopes of joining the Hoops in the knockout stages of the Europa League next year so are still attacking on four fronts. But they will have disappointed to have thrown away a two-goal lead at Aberdeen on Wednesday which allowed their great rivals to open up a two-point gap at the top of the league table.
Will Gerrard be tempted to throw a fit-again Jermaine Defoe into the fray at Hampden? Alferdo Morelos has never enjoyed much luck against Celtic, who target the Colombian for special attention. Defoe’s experience could be vital in the white-hot atmosphere of an Old Firm cup final but Rangers will need their other big names to play to their full potential. James Tavernier, Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent are also key players for the Gers but Celtic know if they stop Morelos and/or Defoe, half the battle is won even though Tavernier, Jack and Greg Stewart are capable of chipping in with the odd goal.
Former Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis could be a doubt to face Celtic and Rangers may also be without Borna Barisic.
The Gers have won eight of their last 12 matches in all competitions, however, with four draws so confidence is still high and they will test Celtic’s resolve if they can maintain discipline and get over the psychological disadvantage of playing second fiddle to their Glasgow neighbours over the last 18 months.
Rangers v Celtic – Scottish Ladbrokes Premiership – Ibrox Stadium Rangers FC via Press Association Images
Celtic Form and Team News
Celtic will be on a high after Scott Brown’s last-gasp goal gave them a vital win against Hamilton Academical on Wednesday night at the same time as Rangers were throwing away a two-goal lead at Aberdeen.
They continue to make good progress in Europe and will have yet another domestic treble in their sights if they beat Rangers at Hampden this Sunday.
Manager Neil Lennon won the League Cup four times as a player so the competition holds special memories but his side could be without their top scorer Odsonne Edouard. With Leigh Griffiths still not considered to be fit enough to start a game, that may leave the Hoops without a recognised striker in their starting line-up as they bid to win a 10th domestic competition in a row.
That hasn’t been a barrier to success in recent games, however, with Lewis Morgan doing an excellent job as a stand-in. The good news for Celtic is that Mohamed Elyounoussi is reportedly ready to return to first-team duties and that would allow James Forrest to return to the right hand side of the three who play off the front man. Jonny Hayes should also be fit and Boli Bolingoli Mbombo could figure.
Captain Scott Brown will again be a key man for Celtic in the midfield battle but the Hoops’ best player in recent weeks has probably been Ryan Christie.
The defending champions arrive on an 11-game winning streak and have averaged three goals a game in that sequence, though have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last three.
Rangers vs Celtic Head-to-Heads
Rangers and Celtic have met 14 times in the Scottish League Cup Final. Celtic have won five to Rangers’ nine. Nine of the finals have gone to extra-time after the teams were level at 90 minutes. Celtic won semi-finals against Rangers in both 2015 and 2016 but none of the last five League Cup meetings between the teams has resulted in more than three goals and that has also been the case in the last five games between the Glasgow giants in all competitions.
Rangers vs Celtic Current Best Odds
Rangers 21/10, Draw 13/5, Celtic 13/10 (Odds correct at 6.45pm December 6)
Rangers vs Celtic Predictions
The gap is closing between these teams but Celtic are probably still the stronger unit. Eduoard’s possible absence is a bonus for Rangers but the Hoops have been coping well enough without their top scorer and may just edge this latest battle for supremacy north of Hardian’s Wall.
Celtic to win by one in the Winning Margins market is a general 3/1 and in Match result and Both Teams to score Celtic to Win are 17/5 with Betvictor.
