Old Firm rivals Rangers and Celtic will renew acquaintances when they do battle at Hampden Park in the semi-finals of the Scottish FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.
With Celtic on the verge of clinching the Scottish Premiership title, Rangers will be desperate to prevent their bitter foes from adding another piece of silverware to their collection.
Match preview
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Although Rangers have lost just four of their 33 league games this season – picking up 25 wins along the way – they trail Celtic by a whopping 13 points in the Scottish Premiership table.
Ultimately, Michael Beale's men have failed to keep pace with their cross-city rivals, despite the fact that Rangers have won 17 of their last 20 league outings.
It is worth noting, however, that Rangers have lost two of their previous three matches, with a 3-2 defeat at Celtic preceding a shock 2-0 loss to Aberdeen, even though the visitors racked up 20 shots while enjoying 75% of the ball last weekend.
The Gers kicked off the defence of their Scottish Cup title with a 1-0 win over St Johnstone before booking their place in the semi-finals with victories against Partick Thistle and Raith Rovers.
Having defeated Hearts 2-0 in last season's final to achieve their 34th Scottish Cup triumph, Rangers will be eager to reach this year's showpiece at the expense of their fiercest foes.
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Celtic won four successive Scottish Cup finals between 2017 and 2020, taking their tally of titles to 40 during that period, although the record champions have failed to reach the past two finals.
That said, Celtic will back themselves to reach the showpiece and take down the winner of the other semi-final between Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, as Ange Postecoglou's men have enjoyed a phenomenal campaign up to now.
Not only have Celtic won 30 of their 33 Premiership matches this term – suffering a solitary loss in the process – but they have also avoided defeat since falling to Real Madrid in the Champions League back in November.
After notching 24 wins in 25 games across all competitions, the Bhoys were held to a 1-1 draw by Motherwell last time out, despite registering 78% possession and 16 shots on home soil.
Still, Celtic will be confident of returning to winning ways at the first available opportunity, having produced dominant performances on a weekly basis throughout the season.
Team News
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Nnamdi Ofoborh remains a long-term absentee for Rangers, while Tom Lawrence (Achilles), Kemar Roofe (knee) and Steven Davis (ACL) are all sidelined through injury.
On top of that, there are question marks over the availability of striker Antonio Colak, who has missed the last two games, leaving the door open for Fashion Sakala to lead the line.
Alfredo Morelos, Todd Cantwell and Malik Tillman are expected to operate behind the lone striker, with James Tavernier – who has notched 17 goals and eight assists this season – continuing to support the attack from right-back.
Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, delivered positive updates on Reo Hatete, Liel Abada and Jota earlier this week, with all three players in contention to return this weekend.
However, James Forrest looks set to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.
Top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi will lead the line for the Hoops, with fellow Japan international Daizen Maeda supporting the striker, while the midfield trio of Aaron Mooy, Callum McGregor and Matt O'Riley should stay the same.
Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Souttar, Davies, Barisic; Jack, Raskin; Morelos, Cantwell, Tillman; Sakala
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Hart; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Starfelt, Taylor; Mooy, McGregor, O'Riley; Jota, Furuhashi, Maeda
We say: Rangers 1-3 Celtic
Of course, Rangers invariably rise to the occasion when they come up against Celtic, but the Bhoys have been operating on a different level to their Old Firm rivals in recent times.
Boasting a 13-point lead at the summit of the Premiership table, Celtic are expected to flex their muscles and reach a fifth Scottish Cup final in seven seasons.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Morris
