St Johnstonevs.Rangers

The Gers are currently in third place in the Scottish Premiership table, while the hosts will head into the weekend in ninth position.

Match preview

St Johnstone are sitting just four points clear of the bottom two after winning four, drawing two and losing three of their 14 league matches this season.

Simo Valakari has overseen seven of those 14 league matches after being appointed as Craig Levein's permanent successor at the start of October.

After winning two of his first three matches, Valakari saw his side suffer three consecutive defeats before they got back on track with a narrow victory in their most recent outing against Kilmarnock.

Makenzie Kirk scored his second league goal of the campaign to condemn Kilmarnock to a 1-0 defeat and seal St Johnstone's second home win of the Scottish Premiership season.

The Saints would have been particularly pleased to record their third league clean sheet of the season, offering a sign of encouragement for a team that currently have the Scottish Premiership's worst defensive record.

With that said, St Johnstone may be more concerned about matters at the opposite end of the pitch, having failed to score in each of their previous seven competitive meetings with Rangers (L7).

Rangers boss Philippe Clement has found his position come under scrutiny, having seen his side struggle for consistency in the top flight this season.

The Gers have dropped points in five of their 14 league matches (D2, L3), allowing a nine-point gap to open up between themselves and leaders Celtic.

Rangers gave up two of those points in last Saturday's home clash against Dundee United, with the Gers unable to build upon Vaclav Cerny's second-half equaliser in a 1-1 draw at Ibrox.

While they may have been left frustrated with that result, the Gers produced an emphatic response to claim a commanding win in Thursday's Europa League away clash against Ligue 1 side Nice.

Cerny and Mohamed Diomande grabbed a goal apiece, before Hamza Igamane netted a brace to lead his side to an impressive 4-1 victory, lifting them up to eighth place in the Europa League league phase.

They will hope to build upon their successful trip to France as they turn their focus back to league action, but a win is far from a forgone conclusion given the fact Rangers have won just one of their five away games in the Scottish Premiership this season (D1, L3).

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

W

W

L

L

L

W

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

W

L

W

L

W

D

Rangers form (all competitions):

L

W

D

W

D

W

Team News

St Johnstone are unable to call upon the injured quartet of Barry Douglas, Cammy MacPherson, Sam McClelland and Uche Ikpeazu.

Valakari could be tempted to select an unchanged lineup which would see goalkeeper Joshua Rae start a fourth consecutive league game.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Benjamin Kimpioka and Nicky Clark offer St Johnstone's main attacking threat after scoring 10 of the club's 17 league goals between them this season.

Meanwhile, Rangers defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury while he was away with the Netherlands Under-21 side earlier this month.

Oscar Cortes, Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo are all working their way back to full fitness, but neither of the trio will be ready for Sunday's fixture.

Igamane could be given the chance to make his third league start of the season after scoring a brace in Thursday's win over Nice.

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Rae; Wright, Sanders, Mikulic, Raymond; Carey, Sprangler, Holt; Kirk, Clark, Kimpioka

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Butland; Sterling, Souttar, Propper, Jefte; Raskin, Barron; Cerny, Diomande, Bajrami; Igamane

We say: St Johnstone 1-3 Rangers

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