Why Celtic fixture schedule is more favourable to Hoops ahead of Rangers crunch derby

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Celtic welcome Rangers to Parkhead this weekend knowing they can take one step towards the title.

Brendan Rodgers has a brilliant record against the Light Blues and it is all about adding to that on Sunday when the game rolls around to go three more points towards another winners’ medal.

It is a 16-point lead the Hoops hold over their rivals in the Scottish Premiership table which is already unsurmountable but it has to be mathematically over before fans can really celebrate.

So this weekend at Celtic Park should be a significant fixture between the two which hopefully will end in a win for Celtic to go 19 clear.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	29	24	3	2	87	17	70	75
2	RangersRangers	29	18	5	6	59	26	33	59
3	HibernianHibernian	29	11	10	8	44	40	4	43
4	AberdeenAberdeen	29	12	6	11	38	46	-8	42
5	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	29	11	8	10	36	36	0	41
6	MotherwellMotherwell	29	11	4	14	34	48	-14	37

• READ MORE: SFA announce Celtic vs Rangers match officials with controversial VAR appointment

Celtic have an advantage over Rangers

Celtic arguably already have an advantage heading into the powderkeg clash that Rodgers and his staff will look to benefit them in Glasgow in Sunday’s 12.30pm kick-off.

Without grueling Champions League football in midweek for Celtic to contend with anymore, it has freed up the squad as well as the coaching staff to take their time and allow the playing staff to rest and recover from their weekend games.

Compare that to Rangers and their interim, inexperienced management team – led by Kelty Hearts legend Barry Ferguson – and they must figure out a way of playing against the runaway league leaders without a minute to recuperate.

Gers, to their credit, are still in the Europa League and have a massive fixture on Thursday evening against Fenerbahce to contend with.

How Celtic can benefit from schedule over Rangers’ tiring calendar

Jose Mourinho’s side were poor in the first-leg and the ‘world beaters’ over at Ibrox have an advantage into this coming leg but it is a much different world from making the trip across to the east end of Glasgow where a rampant, fresh Celtic are lying in wait.

Take into consideration Celtic’s buzzbomb Daizen Maeda in particular. A man who can sprint, hassle, harry, press for 90 minutes without as much as a bead of sweat.

The Japanese attacker running at James Tavernier and others after their midweek fixture is as daunting a prospect as there is.

If Rodgers and his staff can put together a plan – and they will – and his players implement it properly, Celts should be on easy street when kick-off comes.