Preview: Rangers vs. Dundee United - prediction, team news, lineups

The Gers occupy second place after securing nine straight victories, while Dundee United find themselves rock bottom of the standings following a run of 10 games without a win.

Match preview

Despite the fact that Celtic have won 21 of their last 22 league matches to open up a nine-point lead at the summit of the standings, Rangers will still be hopeful of chasing down their Old Firm rivals.

Of course, Celtic look destined to clinch back-to-back Premiership titles under Ange Postecoglou, but Rangers will not go down without a fight, having won each of their previous nine league outings.

It is also worth pointing out that Michael Beale's men have won 13 of their past 14 Premiership games, with a 2-2 draw against Celtic back in January temporarily halting the Gers' winning streak.

Having avoided defeat at Ibrox this season - winning 12 and drawing two of their 14 league matches on home soil - Rangers will be confident of notching a fourth successive victory over Dundee United.

The Tangerines are rooted to the foot of the Scottish Premiership table with the worst defensive record in the division, having conceded 54 goals across 29 games this season.

Sitting two points behind Ross County and three points shy of Kilmarnock, Dundee United are on course to suffer relegation to the Championship for the second time in seven years after gaining promotion in 2020.

Dundee United recorded seven consecutive defeats between late January and early March before registering 1-1 draws with Livingston and St. Mirren, extending their winless run to 10 games.

To make matters worse for Jim Goodwin's men, they hold the second-worst away record in the Premiership, having taken eight points from a possible 42 on their travels this term.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Rangers form (all competitions):

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L

W

W

W

W

Dundee United Scottish Premiership form:

L

L

L

L

D

D

Dundee United form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

D

D

Team News

Rangers are still without long-term absentees Steven Davis (ACL) and Nnamdi Ofoborh (heart), while Kemar Roofe (calf), Tom Lawrence (knee) and Filip Helander (foot) are also sidelined due to injury.

Only three players in the Premiership have racked up more goal involvements than James Tavernier this season, as the right-back has bagged 13 goals and six assists.

Striker Antonio Colak has also netted 13 league goals this term, so the Croatia international is expected to keep his place alongside Fashion Sakala in attack.

As for Dundee United, Dylan Levitt (knee) is out for the season, while Glenn Middleton (hamstring) will miss Saturday's trip to Ibrox.

On a brighter note, Peter Pawlett is back in action having recovered from a hamstring issue, so he could offer support to striker Steven Fletcher, who scored his sixth league goal of the campaign last time out.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Yilmaz; Cantwell, Lundstrum, Jack; Kent; Colak, Sakala

Dundee United possible starting lineup:

Birighitti; Ayina, Edwards, McMann; Smith, Harkes, Sibbald, Behic; Pawlett, McGrath; Fletcher

We say: Rangers 4-0 Dundee United

Given the 51-point gulf between Rangers and Dundee United, we expect Michael Beale's men to make light work of the Tangerines in front of a passionate Ibrox crowd.

The Gers have scored 72 goals across 29 league outings this season, while Dundee United have conceded 54, so another high-scoring victory is on the cards for the hosts.

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