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

The home side come into this one looking to break into the top six, while the visitors will be aiming to keep pressure on Celtic at the top of the table.

Match preview

Motherwell have made an indifferent start to 2022-23, with 13 points from their first 10 matches, leaving the Lanarkshire club situated in seventh place regarding the league standings.

The Steelmen have endured a varied run of results in the Scottish top flight in recent months following their appointment of Steven Hammell, initially starting well before tailing off in their last few fixtures.

Their last outing was to end in disappointment away to Hibernian last weekend when, despite competing relatively well in the match, a powerful header from Ryan Porteous was enough to condemn Motherwell to their third league defeat in four matches.

That loss has also contributed to an unwanted run of only one victory in six games in the Scottish Premiership, which manager Hammell will look to arrest on Sunday.

The only triumph for Motherwell in this dip in form came away at bottom-of-the-table Ross County last midweek, when a hat-trick from Kevin van Veen and goals from Callum Slattery and Joseph Efford ensured a third away win of the season for the visitors.

Undoubtedly, Motherwell will be looking for an improvement in performance if they are to secure a victory on Sunday against tough opposition.

Rangers enter the fray at Fir Park in a good run of form domestically after winning their last three encounters, sitting second in the Scottish Premiership table and two points behind leaders Celtic.

They comfortably disposed of St Mirren at home in their most recent league match, with a double from Antonio Colak and efforts from James Tavernier and Fashion Sakala securing a comfortable three points to keep pace at the summit.

However, their recent exploits in Europe have created concern among supporters for understandable reasons. On Wednesday, they were thrashed 7-1 by Liverpool at Ibrox in the Champions League despite being level with one goal apiece at half time.

Liverpool went on to score six goals in the second half, delivering the hosts' biggest ever defeat on home soil in ruthless fashion, in which Mohamed Salah scored the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history, with all three goals coming in just six minutes.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be under pressure to gain a positive result on Sunday to keep their domestic season on track at Fir Park.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

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D

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Motherwell form (all competitions):

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D

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Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

D

W

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Rangers form (all competitions):

L

W

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Team News

Connor Shields will be suspended for the match on Sunday, owing to the midfielder picking up a straight red card in the defeat at Easter Road last weekend.

Jake Carroll will also miss out for Motherwell due to a long-term knee injury.

Paul McGinn is at risk of suspension if he picks up a yellow card at any stage of the match.

As for the visitors, they have major injury issues in defence ahead of their trip to Lanarkshire.

Connor Goldson is set to be ruled out for several months after picking up a serious injury during the week, while Ben Davies is not expected to play due to picking up an injury in the same match.

John Souttar and Filip Helander are long-term absentees for the away side, whereas Ianis Hagi, Ryan Jack and Tom Lawrence will all be out of contention.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; McGinn, Solholm Johansen, Lamie, Penney; Slattery, Goss; Spittal, Morris, Efford; Van Veen

Rangers possible starting lineup:

McGregor; Tavernier, Sands, King, Barisic; Lundstram, Davis; Sakala, Arfield, Kent; Colak

We say: Motherwell 1-2 Rangers

In a match that will be keenly contested, we expect plenty of chances to be created in an open game with its fair share of drama.

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