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Pundits predict Celtic v Rangers, Man Utd v Man City and Gennady Golovkin v Kell Brook

Soccer Saturday pundits
Image: Soccer Saturday pundits predict Saturday's sport

The Soccer Saturday pundits provide us with their predictions for Saturday's sensational day of sport, all live on Sky Sports.

The Old Firm derby kicks off at 12pm before the Manchester derby begins at 12.30pm, with live coverage on Sky Sports 1 and 2 two for both clashes starting a 11.30am, before Kell Brook takes on Gennady Golovkin, live on Sky Sports Box Office from The O2.

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Ahead of the Manchester derby, Jamie Carragher sits down with Xabi Alonso, who has played under Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho

The Soccer Saturday boys, Charlie Nicholas, Paul Merson, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier will be responsible for keeping us updated with the Premier League action in between those huge events and have provided us with their predictions...

Sky Bet treble
Sky Bet treble

Celtic, Manchester United and Brook all to win - 22/1 with Sky Bet here.

OLD FIRM DERBY

Charlie: This is the sort of game where everybody is on their knees blowing for air after 10 minutes because it's such an intense build-up.

We're looking at Scott Brown v Joey Barton as the potential for fireworks and I certainly think it is worth backing a red card, but I think this will be decided by Celtic's pace in attack.

Old Firm
Image: The Old Firm derby is live on Sky Sports on Saturday

Charlie predicts: 3-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)

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Merse: Home advantage is huge in these Old Firm matches and I just think Celtic will be too strong for them. Rangers have had a few dodgy results recently so I can't see anything but a home win.

Merse predicts: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)

Celtic celebrate after Tom Rogic (centre) scored the fourth goal against Aberdeen
Image: Celtic have been tipped to beat Rangers by all four of the Soccer Saturday pundits

Thommo: Mark Warburton has done a fantastic job piecing together this side because 12 months ago you'd have asked whether they'd be able to compete.

I think it will take Brendan Rodgers quite a while to get his ideas across full, but you'd still expect them to have too much on home turf.

Thommo predicts: 2-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)

Le Tiss: I think Rangers might take a little bit of getting used to competing at this level again in the Old Firm derby. They've got quite a few experienced players but I think they'll be up against it on Saturday.

Le Tiss predicts: 2-0 (7/1 with Sky Bet)

MANCHESTER DERBY

Manchester derby
Image: The Manchester derby kicks off at 12.30pm on Sky Sports 1 on Saturday

Charlie: If Sergio Aguero was available then I'd be going with City. David Silva seems to have his mojo back but the big question is whether they go with Kelechi Iheanacho or do they go with Raheem Sterling to lead the line?

I still think there's bigger questions over Manchester United, with Wayne Rooney having his issues, while Pep Guardiola has sent his message and is getting the response, which gives them an edge.

Charlie predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)

Merse: Sergio Aguero is an absolutely massive miss for Man City. I know people say they have so much money and can afford to sign anyone, but he is one player they will struggle to replace. He is their best player by a million miles.

Merse predicts: 2-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)

Jose Mourinho/Pep Guardiola Manchester Derby image 16/08/2016
Image: Mourinho and Guardiola go head-to-head in the Manchester United

Thommo: Sergio Aguero is an absolutely huge miss for City and I think we'll see Zlatan Ibrahimovic relish the atmosphere and deliver. I would have gone for a draw if Aguero was available because you always expect him to score.

Thommo predicts: 2-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)

Le Tiss: Aguero must still be considered the best Premier League striker so his absence is decisive for me. However, in terms of the title race, the result isn't going to be decisive as the losing side have so much time to recover.

Le Tiss predicts: 2-1 (11/1 with Sky Bet)

GOLOVKIN V BROOK

Golovkin v Brook
Image: Gennady Golovkin takes on Kell Brook on Sky Sports Box Office on Saturday night

Charlie: I get all the bravado but looking at Brook I don't feel convinced by him. He's putting it on because the cameras are there but I sense he knows he'll just be hanging in there.

I hope he does well and takes it a long way into the contest but unfortunately I see him getting knocked out.

Charlie predicts :GGG in the 8th round (10/1 with Sky Bet)

Merse: I think Brook is a better fighter but Golovkin is the stronger guy. If Brook doesn't knock him out in the first three to four rounds then he's going to be in trouble. I think Brook will know he has to go for it in the early rounds and will blow himself out.

Merse predicts: Golovkin in the 6th round (8/1 with Sky Bet)

Gennady Golovkin during his workout at Covent Garden, London
Image: Golovkin during his workout at Covent Garden, London

Thommo: I don't think you can overestimate the value of being on home territory and I think he can do it. I fancy him to do it in one of the middle rounds. 

Thommo predicts: Brook in the sixth round (80/1 with Sky Bet)

Le Tiss: I must admit I'm not the biggest follower of boxing so on that basis I'm going to be cheering on Brook to get the win.

Le Tiss predicts: Brook to win (11/2 with Sky Bet)

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