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

While the hosts are already trailing Celtic in the league, the visitors do sit one point and place above them in the league table, adding plenty of excitement to this fixture.

Match preview

Rangers have not started the new campaign as well as they would have wanted to, with the club already four points behind Celtic in the title race.

That gap was created due to the recent Old Firm derby which took place during the Gers most recent league game where the Hoops came out on top 1-0.

However, since that defeat Rangers have reacted positively with consecutive victories in different competitions, having first defeated St Johnstone in the Scottish League Cup.

That was followed up in midweek when the Gers beat Real Betis by a goal to nil in the Europa League, with Abdallah Sima scoring the crucial goal in the game.

With back-to-back clean sheets and two positive results, Michael Beale will be hoping his team brings the confidence back into the league as they aim to put pressure on those above them including Motherwell.

The visitors do find themselves sat above Rangers currently with a one-point gap having been created which the Steelmen will now be hoping to extend.

However, Motherwell will need an improved performance than the one they provided last weekend against St Mirren when they were defeated 1-0.

That was the first time that Stuart Kettlewell's men have been defeated in the SPL this season, with this weekend now being a test for how they will react to that.

Motherwell are undefeated on the road this season while Rangers have had mixed results at Ibrox Stadium, which should create a test for both teams.

While the Steelmen might be looking to ensure that they are not overtaken by the Gers they do have the possibility of finishing the weekend in top spot if other results go their way and they can secure a victory of their own, adding further pressure.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

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L

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Rangers form (all competitions):

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Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

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D

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L

Motherwell form (all competitions):

D

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L

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Team News

Todd Cantwell is expected to miss this weekend as he continues to rehabilitate his knee injury, with the Gers also missing Steven Davis and Kieran Dowell at the moment.

Rangers are also missing Danilo, who has been a key attacking threat for them this season, but Sima filled his boots in midweek by finding the back of the net and he should lead the line once again.

The visitors also have a host of injury problems to deal with right now as Calum Butcher, Mika Biereth, Pape Souare, Conor Wilkinson and Jon Obika are all unavailable.

Kettlewell was pleased to have Liam Kelly back in goal last weekend though as he overcame an injury concern, and he should find himself between the sticks once again.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Yilmaz; Raskin, Lundstram, Matondo, Roofe, Lawrence; Sima

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Casey, Mugabi, McGinley; O'Donnell, Paton, Slattery, Miller, Spencer; Shaw, Bair

We say: Rangers 1-1 Motherwell

With very little to separate the two teams in the league table, this is set to be a closely contested fixture that could be decided by very small details.

However, with both Rangers and Motherwell thriving at the moment this could end up being a fixture where they share the points.

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