The League Cup final is nearly upon us and the anticipation is building.

Will Celtic retain the trophy under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou? Or will Michael Beale's Rangers produce the goods on derby day?

One thing is for certain, Sunday's Hampden clash will be a blockbuster. Here our Herald and Times Sport writers give their predictions.

Chris Jack - Rangers 2 Celtic 1

If this game had been played before the World Cup break, there would only have been one winner. Today, it is a very different proposition and much more difficult to call.

Michael Beale has been unable to reduce the arrears in the Premiership title race and the matches are now running out for Rangers in that regard as Celtic show the mark of champions and keep churning out the results week after week.

Rangers have shown that they can do that as well since Beale returned to Ibrox and there is now real momentum behind a side who have not had their troubles to seek this term. Concerns over the injury situation that continues to plague Rangers will perhaps dampen the mood of some fans but the performance in the derby at Ibrox should give them belief.

Rangers should have won that day as they were undone by defensive lapses and a failure to take their chances but the improvements since have been gradual and encouraging. The fixes in many ways are marginal and those gains could be enough to see Rangers over the line this time out.

Aidan Smith - Rangers 2 Celtic 2 AET Celtic win on penalties.

There isn't a lot between these two and even if there was, form goes out the window on cup final day. Finals can often be edgy affairs, but I reckon this one will be open with plenty of goals on offer. Both teams are better going forward than they are defensively, so expect the attackers to come out on top.

The midfield battle will also be key. My prediction is made with the assumption that Rangers will be able to handle Celtic’s middle three who have simply been untouchable in recent weeks, but if there is a mismatch and Michael Beale’s side is overrun, then the outcome could be done and dusted long before penalties. If the match goes as I expect though, it will come down to who can hold their nerve from 12 yards.

David Irvine - Rangers 2 Celtic 3 AET

Everything suggests a blockbuster encounter at Hampden on Sunday.

Both Rangers and Celtic are in excellent form with Michael Beale unbeaten since his appointment - and Celtic suffering just one league defeat all season.

A draw in the last meeting between the pair only amps up the anticipation - with bragging rights, and the small matter of the Viaplay Cup trophy up for grabs.

I reckon this one could go to the wire and into extra-time with both sides looking ready and confident.

This could easily go to penalties, but if one team is to win it before a shootout, I think Celtic's squad depth could prove decisive.

James Cairney - Rangers 1 Celtic 2

Both sides go into this final in fantastic form and I am expecting a close game as a result. Rangers had the better of it in the previous meeting between the two rivals and that 1-1 draw at Ibrox will give Michael Beale’s players a lot of confidence. I’d expect them to play well and give Celtic a real game. 

Having said that, I still think Ange Postecoglou’s team will successfully defend the cup. I think they’re playing a level above Rangers at the moment and the Parkhead club enjoy incredible strength in depth. I wouldn’t be surprised if the game is fairly even for the first 70 minutes or so before Celtic pull away towards the end of the contest. 

Liam Bryce - Rangers 1 Celtic 2 AET

The build-up to this final has been fascinating, with just the right amount of needle to ensure that bit of feistiness these occasions deserve. Beale seemingly has Rangers on the right track - you can't argue with his unbeaten record and there's a real sense the players are buying into what he's trying to do. But my hunch is this one might just come too soon for them. As good as they have been, Celtic have been better. Rangers are capable of landing blows, but the sheer depth of Postecoglou's squad should see them prevail.

Kenneth Ward - Rangers 1 Celtic 3

Understandably, excitement has been building at Ibrox after a positive start for Michael Beale after taking over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst in December with Rangers lagging nine points behind Celtic in the Premiership. An undefeated start has boosted the confidence of the Ibrox faithful ahead of Sunday's showpiece. But the sometimes overlooked fact is that Rangers remain nine points behind their rivals in the league, Ange Postecoglou's side are unbeaten domestically since mid-September, have outscored and conceded fewer than Rangers since Beale took over, and have huge experience of getting over the line at Hampden in recent seasons. It promises to be a competitive affair, but I can only see Celtic edging this one: 3-1.