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Preview: Rangers vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

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

Steven Gerrard can secure his 100th win as Rangers manager if his team can claim all three points against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on Wednesday.

The Gers, who are just eight wins away from clinching their first top-flight title since 2011, face a Saints side who are yet to lose a match in 2021.


Match preview

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

Rangers maintained their 23-point lead at the top of the table as Alfredo Morelos scored his 11th goal of the season to help secure a narrow 1-0 victory at Hibernian on Saturday.

The Gers continue to excel in the Scottish Premiership and have extended their unbeaten league run to 27 matches, scoring 67 goals and conceding just seven in this run.

Steven Gerrard's side, who last tasted defeat at home to Hamilton back in March 2020, will hope to remain unbeaten when they face St Johnstone on Wednesday, a side that they have claimed six wins and two draws against in their last eight meetings.

Rangers are still in with a chance of recording the most points in a Scottish Premiership season. The current holders are rivals Celtic with 106 accumulated during the 2016-17 campaign, but the Gers can surpass that with 108 points if they were to win all of their remaining 12 league games.

With the Gers edging closer to their first title in 10 years, Gerrard will be keen for his side to deliver another solid performance to get them over the line once again.

Rangers's Joe Aribo celebrates scoring against St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership on August 12, 2020© Reuters

St Johnstone had to work hard to extend their unbeaten league run to six matches as they came from behind to seal a 3-2 victory away at Kilmarnock last weekend.

Chris Burke and Aaron Tshibola put the home side ahead before the break, however Callum Davidson's men responded brilliantly and claimed all three points with second-half strikes from Guy Melamed, Murray Davidson and Ali McCann easing their relegation concerns.

It has been a good week for the Saints who not only moved seven points clear of danger, but also reached the Scottish League Cup final after beating Hibernian 3-0 at Hampden Park.

St Johnstone were defeated in both of their previous two meetings with Rangers this season by a 3-0 scoreline, but do make the trip to Ibrox having never lost successive league visits since 2011.

Davidson's side could move 10 points clear of the drop zone if they were to cause an upset on Wednesday evening.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form: WWWDWW

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form: DDDWDW
St Johnstone form (all competitions): DDWWDW


Team News

Rangers striker Kemar Roofe celebrates scoring against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership on November 22, 2020© Reuters

Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield remains out with an ankle injury but could be back in training within the next few weeks.

Forward Kemar Roofe, who started and scored against the Saints in their last meeting, could return to the starting lineup.

St Johnstone have no injury or suspension concerns at present and Callum Davidson is likely to name a similar side to the one that beat Kilmarnock on Saturday.

Striker Stevie May, who is yet to start a match in 2021, is pushing to make the first XI on Wednesday, although Davidson may decide to keep Chris Kane up front.

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

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Clark; Kerr, Gordon, McCart; Rooney, Davidson, McCann, Tanser; Wotherspoon, Conway; Kane


SM words green background

We say: Rangers 3-0 St Johnstone

St Johnstone have performed well since the turn of the year, scoring 10 goals in their last six matches, but breaking through a resilient Rangers backline, who have conceded just once at home all season, will be a difficult task for Davidson's men.

The Gers should have enough quality in all areas of the pitch to secure another comfortable victory at Ibrox.
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Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals 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.Over 1.5:data


ID:433206:cQx

How you voted: Rangers vs St Johnstone

Rangers
89.8%
Draw
5.1%
St Johnstone
5.1%
59
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Kilmarnock manager Alex Dyer pictured on August 22, 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1RangersRangers2724306776075
2Celtic25157355203552
3Hibernian27137737261146
4Aberdeen2612863126544
5Livingston2611693429539
6St Mirren2485112428-429
7Dundee UnitedDundee Utd27610112138-1728
8St Johnstone2769122536-1127
9Motherwell2567122337-1425
10Kilmarnock2673162637-1124
11Ross County2765162151-3023
12Hamilton AcademicalHamilton2554162251-2919

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