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

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

Rangers travel to Easter Road on Wednesday night where they will face a Hibernian side who have won only one of their last five Scottish Premiership matches.

The Gers, meanwhile, have scored a total of 66 goals and conceded just seven times in the top flight this campaign, and continue to impress as they search for their 24th league victory.


Match preview

Rangers players celebrate after Celtic's Callum McGregor scores an own goal in the Scottish Premiership on January 2, 2021© Reuters

Rangers maintained their unbeaten record in the Scottish Premiership after cruising to a 5-0 victory over Ross County last weekend.

The Gers had five different names on the scoresheet as Ryan Kent, Filip Helander, Joe Aribo, Ryan Jack and Connor Goldson all found the net against the Staggies, while James Tavernier missed his second penalty in succession.

Steven Gerrard's side, who sit 23 points clear at the top of the table, are now just nine wins away from clinching their first top-flight title since 2010-11.

Not only do Rangers have an impressive unbeaten record in this season's Scottish Premiership, they are also currently on an 18-game unbeaten streak at Easter Road against Hibernian, winning 11 such encounters. They did however draw 2-2 in their last visit to Edinburgh back in September.

Securing another three points on Wednesday night would move the Gers onto 72 points - only Celtic in the 2016-17 campaign have accumulated more points at this stage of a top-flight season.

Hibernian manager Jack Ross pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Hibernian boss Jack Ross was left "bitterly disappointed" after his side lost 3-0 to St Johnstone in the semi-finals of the Scottish League Cup last weekend.

Despite dominating the first half hour and hitting the woodwork twice, headed goals from Saints pair Jason Kerr and Shaun Rooney either side of half time put St Johnstone in command before Craig Conway added a third to leave little doubt about the outcome.

Hibs are currently enduring a difficult run of form, which has seen them win only one of their last six matches in all competitions, losing four of those games without scoring.

Ross's men face another tricky test on Wednesday when they face a Rangers outfit who they have failed to beat in any of their last 10 matches.

No side has managed to defeat the Gers so far this campaign but if Hibs were to secure the three points in midweek, then they could move into third spot above Aberdeen if they were to drop points against St Johnstone.

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form: WLLLDW
Hibernian form (all competitions): LLLDWL

Rangers Scottish Premiership form: WWWWDW


Team News

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard pictured on January 2, 2021© Reuters

Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield remains out with an ankle injury but could be back in training at the beginning of next month.

Midfielder Ryan Jack will be hoping to start his first match since November, while forward Kemar Roofe could be handed a start up front with Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.

Hibernian will be without midfielder Joe Newell (groin) and left-back Sean Mackie (thigh) who are both recovering from injuries.

Striker Christian Doidge, who has failed to score in each of his last seven appearances, could be recalled to the starting lineup to play alongside top goalscorer Kevin Nisbet.

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marciano; McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Doig; Boyle, Gogic, Irvine, Murphy; Doidge, Nisbet

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Aribo, Davis, Kamara; Roofe, Kent; Morelos


SM words green background

We say: Hibernian 0-2 Rangers

Hibernian boss Jack Ross will be keen for his side to bounce back from last weekend's defeat with a positive performance and result on Wednesday night. However, they face a rampant Rangers side who are closing in on their first top-flight title in 10 years.

The Gers should have enough to get the job done and win comfortably at Easter Road.


Top betting 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


ID:432121:cQx

How you voted: Hibernian vs Rangers

Hibernian
7.7%
Draw
12.1%
Rangers
80.2%
91
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Rangers' Ryan Jack pictured in December 2018
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2623306675972
2Celtic24147351203149
3Aberdeen2512853124744
4Hibernian26127735251043
5Livingston2510693229336
6St Mirren2385102326-329
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd26610102036-1628
8St Johnstone2669112535-1027
9Kilmarnock2573152633-724
10Motherwell2457122136-1522
11Ross County2655161950-3120
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2454152149-2819

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