Celtic v Rangers: Predicted XI with Schlupp and Jota to start | OneFootball

Celtic face Rangers this afternoon as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to go 19 points clear. There was an uncharacteristic defeat against Rangers at Ibrox in January and Celtic will look to enact revenge against the visitors from Govan.

The manager will know his team for the game and the big questions will be whether Jefferey Schlupp continues at left back and if Callum McGregor is fit to start. Daizen Maeda will almost certainly start through the middle.

Kasper Schmeichel will start in goals. The Dane was the penalty shootout hero as Celtic beat Rangers to win the Premier Sports Cup back in December and he will be keen to help Celtic take three points as they look to reclaim the Premiership title.

The back four will likely be the same with the only question being that of the left back berth. Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers will start in the central pairing with Alistair Johnston at right back and likely Jefferey Schlupp at left back.

Callum McGregor is a doubt for the game but if he is fit then he will play. Should the 31-year-old be unfit to start the game, Luke McCowan will likely start in the midfield with Reo Hatate, meaning Arne Engels will drop into the deeper role.

Daizen Maeda is a certainty to start through the middle. The Japanese attacker will play alongside Jota, who returns to the fixture after joining the club in January, with Nicolas Kühn.

Predicted XI: Schmeichel; Schlupp, Trusty, Carter-Vickers, Johnston; McGregor, Engels, Hatate; Jota, Maeda, Kühn.