Kilmarnockvs.Rangers

The hosts are ninth in the table but just four points above the drop zone, while the visitors are second in the table with 56 points from 27 matches.

Match preview

Kilmarnock endured a challenging start to the 2024-25 season, being eliminated from both the Europa League and Conference League in the qualifying rounds, while also crashing out of the Scottish League Cup and failing to win their first six league fixtures.

Killie began the season with three straight losses followed by three draws, leaving them just above the relegation zone, and although they won three of their next four games, their inconsistency has continued in the weeks since.

Derek McInnes's side sit ninth in the Scottish Premiership standings with 31 points from 27 league outings, after eight wins, seven draws and 12 defeats, leaving them only four points above 11th-placed Dundee.

However, they do trail sixth-placed St Mirren by only three points, meaning a run of positive results could see Kilmarnock climb the table and secure a top six finish come the end of the term.

While they will be aiming to begin that streak on Wednesday, the hosts will certainly be the underdogs heading into the matchup with second-placed Rangers.

However, the Gers may be low on confidence after suffering two defeats in their last three outings, including a miserable 1-0 loss to Queen's Park and 2-0 to St Mirren last time out.

Those results could also help motivate the Rangers players to rebound with a convincing victory on Wednesday, a result that Philippe Clement will be desperate to record given the mounting pressure on his role at the club.

Clement and Rangers will be devastated to have lost to St Mirren at the weekend, not only bringing an end to their nine-game unbeaten run in the league, but also meaning they failed to make up ground on league-leading Celtic, who also lost.

In positive news for the Gers, they have been extremely dominant in this fixture in recent history, including victories in four of their last five encounters, losing the remaining clash.

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

L

W

W

L

Kilmarnock form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

W

L

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

W

W

W

L

Rangers form (all competitions):

W

W

W

L

W

L

Team News

The hosts will be without Kyle Vassell (shin) and Stuart Findlay (ankle) due to ongoing injury issues, with neither likely to return to action until early next month.

Kilmarnock's top scorer Bruce Anderson, with eight league goals, has failed to score in his last six league appearances, and Killie will be looking for him to end his goal-drought and make the difference here.

As for the visitors, Connor Barron (unspecified), Dujon Sterling (foot), John Souttar (calf) and Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) are all ruled out until next month due to injuries.

After a disappointing 2-0 loss to St Mirren in their most recent outing, Clement may decide to make several changes here, meaning Nedim Bajrami and Tom Lawrence could start.

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:

O'Hara; Lyons, Mayo, Wright, Deas; Murray, Donnelly, Polworth, Ndaba; Watkins, Anderson

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Tavernier, Propper, Nsiala, Jefte; Diomande, Raskin, Cerny, Bajrami, Lawrence; Igamane

We say: Kilmarnock 0-2 Rangers

Written by

Ellis Stevens

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