Preview: Livingston vs. Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Second-placed Rangers find themselves nine points behind Celtic in the table, while fourth-placed Livingston trail Michael Beale's side by 26 points.

Match preview

Livingston were knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Inverness Caledonian Thistle last weekend, as David Martindale's men suffered a disappointing 3-0 defeat to the second-tier club.

Still, it is worth noting that Livingston have tasted defeat on just two occasions since the turn of the year, picking up four wins and two draws across all competitions in 2023.

On top of that, Livi have only lost one of their previous seven Scottish Premiership games, with a 3-0 defeat to Celtic preceding a 3-1 victory over Kilmarnock last time out.

The Lions have enjoyed plenty of success on home soil this season, losing just three of their 12 league matches at the Tony Macaroni Arena, and they head into Saturday's clash on a run of five home league games without defeat.

Although Livingston managed to hold Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Rangers to a 1-1 draw at Ibrox back in October, they could struggle to emulate that result against Michael Beale's resurgent outfit.

Indeed, Rangers are currently enjoying a 15-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, with 12 wins coming in their previous 13 outings.

The Gers booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup with a 3-2 victory over Partick Thistle last weekend, extending their winning run to eight matches in the process.

Following a run of eight losses in 17 games, the Glasgow giants replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst with Beale during the World Cup break, and the new manager has transformed the team's performances.

Rangers have taken 28 points from a possible 30 since the restart, with their only draw coming against Celtic in early January, and they have also scored two or more goals in nine of their 10 Premiership encounters since Beale's arrival.

Given that Livingston have only kept two clean sheets in their previous 14 league outings, Rangers look destined to continue their scoring streak this weekend.

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

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Livingston form (all competitions):

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Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

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W

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Rangers form (all competitions):

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Team News

Livingston are still without long-term absentee Tom Parkes, who has not featured for the club since August 2021 due to a serious knee injury.

Jack Fitzwater and Morgan Boyes are expected to start at centre-back for the hosts, although Ayo Obileye could feature after starting last weekend's Scottish Cup defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Having found the net in Livingston's last Premiership outing, top scorer Bruce Anderson will be looking to enhance his tally of five goals in 18 league games.

As for Rangers, they are still without the injured quartet of Filip Helander, John Souttar, Tom Lawrence and Ridvan Yilmaz, while Steven Davis is out for the season due to a cruciate ligament rupture.

On a brighter note, Kemar Roofe is back in action following a lengthy injury layoff, so the striker could feature on Saturday after playing 45 minutes in the Scottish Cup triumph over Patrick Thistle.

Beale may be tempted to hand a start to Antonio Colak this weekend, as the club's top scorer is fit again following a calf strain, although Alfredo Morelos and Fashion Sakala are also pushing for a place in the starting XI.

Livingston possible starting lineup:

George; Devlin, Fitzwater, Boyes, Montano; Kelly, Kelly; Bradley, Pittman, Nouble; Anderson

Rangers possible starting lineup:

McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barasic; Jack, Lundstrum; Sakala, Cantwell, Kent; Morelos

We say: Livingston 0-3 Rangers

According to the Scottish Premiership table, Livingston are the fourth-best team in the country right now, but there is no hiding the fact that Martindale's side are still miles behind Rangers.

Having won nine of their previous 10 league games, the Gers look destined to cruise to a comfortable victory over Livi, with the visitors expected to seal a high-scoring win while keeping a clean sheet.

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