A host of variables go into what decides a title race but one of the biggest X-factors can often be momentum.
That's certainly the case when Celtic and Rangers are fighting for Premiership bragging rights - it's the team chasing who can often come unstuck due to the pressure of bridging the gap
And the Ibrox side certainly didn't seem fazed by their top dog status as their 4-0 win over Aberdeen on Sunday opened an 11-point gap between themselves and their greatest rivals.
Meanwhile Neil Lennon 's side are feeling the heat and their dominance over Scottish football appears to be slipping with their Ten In A Row aspirations in serious danger.
And a quick glance over the fixture calendar will only add to Celtic's woe as they won't get the chance to pile the pressure on their rivals before they do battle on January 2.
Rangers will never play after Celtic before the Ne'er showdown and will kick-off before their great rivals on four different occasions.
In fact, if Steven Gerrard 's in-form side continue their dominant run and win their next six league games they would be, at worst, 14 points ahead when the Hoops visit Ibrox.
That's a big ask but Rangers and their supporters have total belief in a side who are making it look easy domestically as they continue to rack up the victories.
Celtic's Scottish Cup Final against Hearts means they will travel to Ibrox having played two fewer Premiership fixtures.
Playing first or at the same time is no guarantee of success but the psychological advantage to heap further misery on your foes can make a telling difference.
Here's how things shape up ahead of the big one and the clear advantage Rangers have.
The fixture run in full
December 5
Ross County vs Rangers 12pm
Celtic vs St Johnstone 3pm
December 13
Dundee Utd vs Rangers 12pm
Celtic vs Kilmarnock 3pm
December 19
Rangers vs Motherwell 12pm
Celtic have Scottish Cup Final same weekend.
December 23
St Johnstone vs Rangers 7.45pm
Celtic vs Ross County 7.45pm
26th Dec
Rangers vs Hibs 12.30pm
Hamilton vs Celtic 3pm
30th Dec
St Mirren vs Rangers 7.45pm
Celtic vs Dundee Utd 7.45pm
