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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Motherwell and Rangers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rangers will look to put the pressure on league leaders Celtic when they travel to Fir Park to face Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

The visitors are currently six points adrift of top spot ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures, while the Well are in sixth position.


Match preview

Celtic's Liel Abada in action with Motherwell's Nathan McGinley on February 6, 2022© Reuters

Motherwell crept into the Championship Group in the most dramatic of circumstances after they snatched a point off Livingston to seal their place in the top six.

Livingston were on course to move into the top six, when goals from Odin Bailey and Alan Forrest gave their side a two-goal lead and though Callum Slattery cut the deficit in half in the 72nd minute, it seemed as though Motherwell would slump to defeat.

However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Ricki Lamie came up trumps to spark wild scenes of jubilation among the away support, with the point securing the Wells a place in the Championship Group.

Graham Alexander's side will now be dreaming of qualifying for the Europa Conference League, with just a point separating them from the top four.

Motherwell will battle it out with Dundee United and Ross County for the fourth and final European spot, but if they wish to emerge victorious from the three-way fight then the Well must improve on a run of form that has seen them win just one of their last 13 league matches.

Rangers' Scott Arfield celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 17, 2022© Reuters

Rangers, meanwhile, enter the contest in a buoyant mood after securing their passage to the Scottish Cup final with an extra-time victory over their Old Firm rivals Celtic last weekend.

Greg Taylor gave Celtic the lead at Hampden Park, but the semi-final contest would go to extra-time after Scott Arfield equalised in the 78th minute before Rangers booked their place in the final courtesy of an own goal from Carl Starfelt.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side are also preparing for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against RB Leipzig, which takes place on Thursday, but before they head off to Germany, they must negotiate a tricky away meeting with Motherwell.

With Rangers currently six points adrift of Celtic, the visitors know that they must win on Saturday to put the pressure on their rivals, who also play Ross County on Sunday.

The Gers will have fond memories of their last trip to Fir Park after beating Motherwell 6-1 in December and another win on Saturday would represent a fourth consecutive away league victory for the visitors.

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • D

Motherwell form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W

Rangers form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • W



Team News

Rangers' Kemar Roofe celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on April 14, 2022© Reuters

Nathan McGinley is expected to miss out for the hosts, while Barry Maguire remains a long-term absentee.

Bevis Mugabi is expected to continue at right-back for a third consecutive game, while Mark O'Hara may be presented with a starting place after coming off the bench at half time against Livingston.

Meanwhile, Kevin van Veen is set to lead the line for the hosts, with the Dutchman looking to add to the eight league goals that he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they are without the injured trio of Filip Helander, Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi for the remainder of the season.

They are also expected to be without Aaron Ramsey and Kemar Roofe for at least three matches due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

Van Bronckhorst is set to make a number of alterations to the starting lineup, with Allan McGregor expected to return between the posts, while Fashion Sakala and Arfield could both be involved from the first whistle on Saturday.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Kelly; Mugabi, Lamie, Johansen, Carroll; Slattery, O'Hara, Goss; Shields, Efford, Van Veen

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic; Jack, Lundstram; Arfield, Aribo, Kent; Sakala


SM words green background

We say: Motherwell 0-2 Rangers

Although they will buoyed by their dramatic 2-2 draw last time out, Motherwell have won just one of their last six home league matches, and we think that the hosts will struggle against a Rangers side that have been victorious in four of their previous five Scottish Premiership encounters.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data


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Who will win Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash between Motherwell and Rangers?

Motherwell
20.0%
Draw
6.7%
Rangers
73.3%
30
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Rangers' Kemar Roofe celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates on April 14, 2022
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Ramsey, Roofe to miss next three Rangers games due to injury
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic33264378195982
2RangersRangers33237367274076
3Hearts33169848331557
4Dundee UnitedDundee Utd331011123137-641
5Ross County331010134552-740
6Motherwell331010133850-1240
7Hibernian33911133137-638
8Livingston33108153543-838
9Aberdeen3399153842-436
10St Mirren33812133050-2036
11St Johnstone3379172144-2330
12Dundee33510182957-2825

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