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

The hosts are keeping the pressure on rivals Celtic at the top of the Premiership, while Livingston look resigned to relegation as they remain cut adrift at the bottom.

Match preview

Rangers took the opportunity to put the pressure on Celtic by playing in the early kick-off last weekend, beating St Mirren 1-0 thanks to Cyriel Dessers's early goal.

That briefly cut the gap to two points at the top of the league, but Celtic followed suit, winning by the same scoreline themselves against Ross County to reinstate the five-point lead.

Philippe Clement's side still have a game in hand, but perfection will be required if they are to keep the pressure on Celtic currently, with the next Old Firm derby not coming up until April.

Defeat at Celtic Park in 2023 is the only blemish on Rangers' record over the last 12 games, as 11 wins in that time has kept the title race alive for now.

Their game in hand comes in mid-February, before which they will face bottom-of-the-table Livingston, and an Aberdeen side who have just sacked manager Barry Robson.

Livingston are one of many clubs who have struggled at Ibrox, given the gulf in class, but they are still yet to win here in 23 attempts - losing 20.

Across all competitions and venues, Rangers are also unbeaten in 20 games against their upcoming opponents, as the stats make for grim reading ahead of this clash for the visitors.

Manager David Martindale has often complained about the fact he is unable to spend in the transfer market to improve a squad that are struggling massively in the top flight.

Despite playing more games than every side in the bottom seven, Livingston find themselves six points adrift of Ross County in the relegation playoff spot, and eight behind St Johnstone just outside the drop zone.

With just 13 points on the board, it is no surprise that the bottom-placed side also have the worst defence and the joint-worst attack in the division so far this season.

Their last 15 games have yielded just three points, but one of them did come at the weekend, as Daniel MacKay's late equaliser salvaged a draw at home to Ross County directly above them, to keep them in sight.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

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L

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Rangers form (all competitions):

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W

Livingston Scottish Premiership form:

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D

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D

Livingston form (all competitions):

D

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D

Team News

Rangers remain without a number of first-team players due to injury, especially in attack, as Abdallah Sima is overcoming a recent serious injury, while Danilo and Kemar Roofe are also absent.

Kieran Dowell and Ben Davies remain sidelined with more minor issues, and new signing Mohammed Diomande is not yet ready for a debut after joining from Nordsjaelland.

Livingston's goalkeeper Shamal George has lost his place in the side since Michael McGovern was signed on loan from Hearts, but form has not improved much for the visitors.

On the injury front, Jack Hamilton (muscular) and Cristian Montano (hamstring) are the only injury absentees for the visitors here.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Yilmaz; Lundstram, Cantwell, Raskin; McCausland, Dessers, Sterling

Livingston possible starting lineup:

McGovern; Brandon, Obileye, Nottingham, Penrice; Shinnie, Holt; Bradley, Pittman, Nouble; Guthrie

We say: Rangers 5-0 Livingston

In one of the biggest mismatches there is likely to be in the Premiership this season, Rangers should have little trouble in comfortably sweeping Livingston aside here.

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