It's back! Arguably the best derby in the world is back on our screens for the first time in years. Before you say anything, I realise they played recently in a Scottish cup game, but it really isn't the same as a classic league game.
It won't be the same as when we saw Neil Lennon go head to head with Barry Ferguson or the battle of goals between Henrik Larsson & Dado Prso, but I'm sure Joey Barton and Scott Brown will make up for any missed atmosphere and animosity between players.
Growing up in a half-Scottish household this game was always a source of immense excitement and I can't wait to watch it again, it's one of the only remaining games in football that still have real passion involved.
Advert
Goal scorers:
Moving on to trying to make a few quid from this game, you can't look past Leigh Griffiths to bag a goal in this game, he missed Scotland's 5-1 win over Malta at the weekend but looks set to start against Rangers.
The man who scored 31 league goals last season has already got two in his first three SPL games this season, so has to be considered a danger man from Scotland's point of view. Griffiths is 3/1 with Ladbrokes to be first goalscorer in this game or if you're feeling really brave then he is a huge 18/1 to score a hat-trick with the same bookie.
Scott Sinclair has been in good form following his summer move to Parkhead from Aston Villa and will want to impress the Celtic faithful with a good performance in his first Old Firm Derby.
Advert
The 27 year old who is as famous for being involved with Helen Flanagan as he is for his football is 6/1 with Ladbrokes to score the first goal, nice odds for a player that is best at being explosive down either wing.
Joe Garner is widely regarded as Rangers biggest goal threat in this game after his move to Ibrox from Preston North End this year and you could get him at 15/2 to be first goal scorer in this game.
He hasn't yet scored for his new club, but it won't be long until he does and what a way to introduce yourself to your new fans than by scoring against your arch rivals.
Advert
Match Results:
This game will go one of two ways, either it will be the game we are all hoping for or both sides will be so afraid to lose that it will be really boring, let's hope for the first eh?
Celtic go into this game as the clear favourites, even the biggest Rangers fan would understand that, surely?! They have the better team and will have more confidence going into this game. In a derby form and stature goes out of the window however and there is always the possibility of an upset.
The Hoops are 8/13 to win this game and The Gers are 9/2.
Advert
Everything suggests that both teams will score in the game as most of the time in the Old Firm both sides go into it with all guns blazing.
If you're feeling brave you can get Celtic and BTTS at 21/10 or Rangers and BTTS at a massive 8/1.
You can also get Celtic to be winning at half time at 11/10 or Rangers at 4/1.
If you're feeling particularly confident in either defences going into this game you can get Celtic at 6/4 or Rangers at 5/1 to keep a clean sheet!
Advert
Other Markets:
Another almost dead cert for this game is to see cards and lots of them, you would expect the first league meeting between these two in four years will be a tasty affair and so expect to see those challenges flying in from all angles.
Alongside that, with Joey Barton and Scott Brown abusing each other through the media, you would think that they would be at each other for the full 90 minutes.
For a red card to be distributed in this game is 2/1 with there being no red cards at 4/11, both those odds are with Bet 365.
If you do think that there will be tackles flying in from all over the place then consider whether there will be any penalties. Yes is 2/1 and No 4/11 again with Bet 365.
Those are some of the best odds for this weekend's Old Firm, make sure you tune into it live on Sky Sports 2 from 11am on Saturday.
Words by: Jack Flannigan (@thatgunnerjack)
Featured Image Credit: