The first Old Firm of the season sees both sides joint top of the SPL on 7 points; Celtic and Rangers both dropped a couple of points in tricky away games, Celtic drawing at Dundee United, whilst Rangers drew at Aberdeen.

But, once again, they both look streets ahead of the pack and the points up for grabs in the four Old Firm games could be decisive. They didn't prove so last year, though, with each team winning both their home games.

Celtic come into this game with doubts over the fitness of Venegoor of Hesselink and McDonald is definitely out, though they have a good backup in Maloney and Samaras.

Elsewhere, throughout the side, they look stronger than Rangers who lost their best player last year, Carlos Cuellar, to Aston Villa three weeks ago.

Rangers have had a disastrous start to the season, being knocked out of European competition by FBK Kaunas, whilst Celtic can look forward to another Champions League campaign, a competition in which they have reached the Last 16 for the last two years.

Rangers' run to the UEFA Cup final last year seemed to cover up their shortcomings; in the league, they couldn't cope with the fixture pile-up and won only three of their final nine SPL games, but long before that they didn't look on top of their game.

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers

Celtic, meanwhile, came from way back in the title race and won their last seven league matches to reclaim their third title in a row.

Celtic's record against their fierce rivals at Celtic Park in the past five years in the SPL has been 7-1-2. Odds on Celtic above Evens should be considered.

They are stronger in midfield and should win the midfield battle; Rangers' deficiencies last year were covered by the defensive partnership of Cuellar and Weir. Without Cuellar, they will be vulnerable in a big game like this and could be hit badly on Sunday, with Celtic able to run away with the game.

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Bet: Celtic to win Odds: $2.12 Stake: 8pts Bookies: Pinnacle Sports

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers