There are two SPL fixtures on Sunday with one of them the most important match of the season to date with Rangers and Celtic squaring off at Ibrox. Hibs also entertain St Mirren but all eyes will be on events in Glasgow.

Rangers v Celtic

The Old Firm clash never needs any hyping up and is always a feisty affair but events off the field over the past few days have propelled this fixture on to the front pages of the national newspapers.

The parcel bombs that were intercepted en route to Bhoys boss Neil Lennon plus other high-profile Celtic fans have caused outrage north of the border and highlight the difficulties when these two sides face each other.

But it is matters on the pitch that we are interested in and this match-up between the two Glasgow clubs will go a long way in determining who lifts the SPL trophy at the end of the season.

Walter Smith’s men top the table by just one point but second-placed Celtic have a game in hand and victory for Lennon’s men would see them in pole position to claim the title.

The three league meetings between the two giants this term have all gone to the away side, with Rangers winning two to Celtic’s one and so Lennon’s men will hope to continue that trend.

Both clubs are in decent form with the Gers and Celts having won their last five SPL matches and so something has to give this weekend, although the visitors would settle for a draw with the extra game they have up their sleeve.

Smith is likely to be without Lee McCulloch and Jamie Ness, while Vladimir Weiss and Kirk Broadfoot are definitely out.

Lennon will be without Joe Ledley, Glenn Loovens and Cha Du-Ri while Shaun Maloney is rated as doubtful.

The off-field incidents will rumble on and on and it is open to question whether this fixture will ever be just about football but the players involved will be fully focused on their jobs this weekend as it could be billed as a ‘winner-takes-all’ encounter.

But given the stakes and the relative points totals there is always the possibility that this could be a tight affair and a score draw is tipped.

Odds: Draw 23/20
Value bet 1-1 11/2

Hibs v St Mirren

If ever there was a match billed as ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ it is this one, which is scheduled to start at the conclusion of the Old Firm clash.

With Hamilton looking likely to make the drop this term, both sides have little to play for although the Buddies will not want to fall too close to the relegation zone.

Hibs go into the match with patchy form behind them and a return of five points from a possible 15 is hardly anything to write home about.

Last Sunday’s shock defeat to basement boys Hamilton will have given the Hibs players a wake-up call and their fans will demand more this weekend despite the season being over in terms of meaningful matches.

Hibs striker Danny Galbraith is still missing through injury while Danny Lennon will have to do without the suspended duo Michael Higdon and defender John Potter, although midfielder Hugh Murray returns from a ban.

Saints have fallen to the Old Firm in their last two games but did pull off back-to-back victories prior to those reverses and are not without hope in this fixture.

Although these contests are difficult to predict with little at stake, class should tell and Hibs are tipped to take it comfortably on Sunday.

Odds: Hibs 5/6 to win
Value bet: Hibs to win 2-0 11/2

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