DERBY matches in Glasgow can often be decided by the slimmest of margins. Here, we take a look at some of the key areas of the pitch where Sunday's game will be won and lost.
Bauer v Ojo
Neil Lennon has a selection headache at right-back after Hatem Elhamed was ruled out of Sunday's game with a hairline fracture and Kris Ajer came off injured during Celtic's 4-1 win over AIK in Stockholm. Stoke City right-back Moritz Bauer was brought in earlier in the week and it looks as though the Austrian could be thrown in at the deep end at Ibrox.
READ MORE: Rangers vs Celtic: Herald and Times sports writers give predictions for Ibrox clash
He'll most likely be up against Sheyi Ojo and it should be interesting to see who comes out on top in this particular area of the pitch. The on-loan Liverpool player has shone in short bursts since arriving at Ibrox and if he is on form on Sunday, Ojo could give Bauer a torrid time. Alternatively, if Bauer can keep Ojo quiet, then the 27-year-old would go a long way to negating Rangers' threat down that side of the pitch.
Bolingoli v Arfield
Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield hasn't started the season in an especially strong fashion but given his performances in the two Ibrox wins over Celtic last season, it's hard to envisage the Canadian international missing out from Steven Gerrard's starting XI.
He'll most likely be up against Boli Bolingoli, who is another player who hasn't had the best start to the season. The Belgian has impressed going forward but looks suspect defensively, and Steven Gerrard will be keen to exploit this area of the pitch.
READ MORE: Old Firm fear factor is a thing of the past for Rangers under Steven Gerrard
Arfield's main concern will be drawing Bolingoli in towards the midddle of the park; by doing so, that leaves space for James Tavernier to exploit on the overlap and allows the Rangers captain to do what he does best: swing dangerous crosses into the box.
Jack v Brown
Arguably the most important battle of all. Ryan Jack has enjoyed a fantastic start to the season and has become a key player in Gerrard's side. Notably, the midfielder has been carrying the ball forward a lot more than usual and has been the catalyst for much of Rangers' attacking play through the middle.
READ MORE: Neil Lennon: My Celtic have scored 39 goals already so why are Rangers favourites?
Scott Brown's main task on Sunday will be to negate the influence that Jack has through the middle. If the Celtic captain can contain Jack then Lennon's side could gain control in the middle of the park. Conversely, if Jack can get the better of Brown, then it would be no suprise to see Rangers run riot through the centre.
Forrest v Barisic
The 2018/19 campaign was James Forrest's best in a Celtic shirt and the Scotland winger has picked up where he left off this season. Every game, Forrest is chipping in with goals and assists and is arguably Celtic's greatest attacking threat.
Borna Barisic will probably be given the nod on the left side of the Rangers defence but even if Jon Flanagan or Andy Halliday start, keeping Forrest quiet will be a huge ask. If the winger can be contained then Celtic could really struggle on the right flank but if Forrest turns up and plays to his full potential, then the Rangers left-back - whoever it may be - will be in for a difficult 90 minutes.
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