Preview: Rangers vs. Ross County - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts are back within striking distance of their rivals Celtic after their Christmas Eve triumph at Fir Park, while the visitors are third bottom and coming into this one following back-to-back defeats.

Match preview

Rangers continued their comeback story last Sunday with Kieran Dowell and Todd Cantwell finding the net early in the match to give their side a 2-0 win over Motherwell.

That marked the Gers 12th clean sheet in 18 league games this season and Philippe Clement's 16th game unbeaten in all competitions since taking over from Michael Beale.

With his first piece of silverware and a place in the Europa League knockout stage in the bag, Clement's side have all the momentum at the moment in the build-up to the Glasgow Derby on December 30.

Still, the Rangers boss will understand the importance of this match and will be hoping for a dominant display from his side to send a message to the Hoops before the spectacle at Celtic Park on Saturday.

The Gers have dominated this fixture over the years, and with last season's 2-0 win at this venue, they are now unbeaten in their last 20 encounters against the Staggies dating back to September 2016.

Meanwhile, Ross County will head into this fixture well-rested after their weekend match against Hibernian was called off when officials deemed the pitch at Global Energy Stadium unplayable.

Derek Adams made a bright start in his new role since taking over from Malky Mackay last month, with his side keeping three clean sheets in his first three matches, but they are now on the verge of a third consecutive league defeat.

The Staggies have managed 17 points in as many games this term and will enter this one following consecutive losses against St. Mirren and Dundee, where they failed to find the net in either match.

In addition to the head-to-head standings massively favouring their opponents, Ross County have also failed to win any of their last six away league games and have only tasted victory once on the road this season.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

D

W

W

W

W

W

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

W

W

L

L

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Team News

An increasing injury list saw Clement make four changes in their last outing, with Leon Balogun, Todd Cantwell, Dujon Sterling and Cyriel Dessers returning to the squad.

However, the Gers seemed to have been dealt another injury blow when Connor Goldson was replaced against Motherwell with what was later confirmed to be a groin strain.

Aside from Connors, there will likely be as many as seven other injury absentees on Wednesday, including the likes of Jos Cifuentes, John Lundstram, Kemar Roofe and Danilo Pereira, all of whom are only expected to return in the New Year.

Ross County are also missing a few key players, with Dylan Smith, Ross Callachan and Ben Paton all flagged as doubts, though the latter two are believed to be close to returning.

After a fairly blunt performance against Dundee, Adams may look to change things up in attack, which could leave the door open for Eamonn Brophy to return to the starting 11.

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Yilmaz; Dowel, Sterling; Sima, Cantwell, McCausland; Dessers

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Nightingale, Baldwin, Leak; Brown, Randall, Allardice, Purrington, Dhanda; White, Murray

We say: Rangers 2-0 Ross County

The odds are firmly stacked in favour of the Gers here, and they will be looking for a ruthless performance with the Glasgow Derby within touching distance. Short and sweet - we are backing the hosts to claim a straightforward victory in this one.

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