Paul Lambert and Billy Dodds predict Rangers v Celtic showdown for Sky Sports
Billy Dodds has agreed with Paul Lambert that Rangers will go into the next Old Firm on 11 May against Celtic as underdogs.
Speaking on Sky Sports‘ preview of a potential Scottish Premiership title decider, both pundits said that home side Celtic were favourites to beat Rangers, but acknowledged that “anything can happen”.
Dodds believes Philippe Clement’s side have an outside chance of victory at Parkhead, but Lambert noted that the absence of away fans in the stadium could weigh heavily on the Light Blues’ shoulders.
Lambert said: “There’s no Rangers fans, and you know what it’s like to play in this kind of atmosphere, especially when you’re getting the whole stadium on your shoulders.
‘It’s an Old Firm game, anything can happen, but I just think at this moment, Celtic are the favourites to win it – because they’re here (at home).
Dodds then replied: “Favourites at home, favourites for where they are mentally, yes. But, it doesn’t always mean that you’re going to go and win it, and there’s still a brilliant opportunity for Rangers.
“That’s the way it feels – go and win at Parkhead, no matter what. It’s the last throw of the dice, isn’t it?”
Will Rangers beat Celtic on Saturday?
Rangers and Celtic last met a little under a month ago, playing out a sensational 3-3 draw, but plenty has happened in the intervening period as the Scottish Premiership title race took several twists and turns.
Clement’s side had two games in hand on Celtic after their six-goal thriller at Ibrox, but couldn’t capitalise, missing out on the chance to go top of the table with a loss and a draw to Ross County and Dundee respectively.
The Gers have since returned to form though, beating St Mirren and Kilmarnock in back-to-back matches, and head to Parkhead with a three-point deficit between themselves and their Glasgow rivals.
Victory with a three-goal swing would see Rangers displace Celtic at the summit, but after they were played off the park in the first half of their 3-3 draw at Ibrox, Dodds, in particular, was keen for his former side to approach the rematch with more caution.
It’s long odds, but so was Rangers coming back from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw with Celtic at Ibrox. Lambert is right, anything can happen, and Clement’s side will be hoping that they can execute their game plan to perfection and draw level in the title race as a result.
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