Sunday 19th August 1230hrs Kilmarnock v Rangers Football – Scotland – Scottish League Cup The games come thick and fast for clubs in Scotland at the start of the season. You’re either competing in European competition from the middle of July or involved in the early stages of the League Cup. Kilmarnock have qualified to get to this stage whilst Rangers are just entering the competition as they’re currently in the midst of a gruelling European qualification campaign as they try to reach the group stages of the Europa League. Kilmarnock go head to head with Rangers at Rugby Park for a place in the quarter finals of the League Cup – read on for match preview and best betting tips.
Kilmarnock enjoyed their best season for years last term as Steve Clarke led them to a top six finish. The appointment of Clarke was seen as something of a coup at the time and he underlined just how impressive a coach he is, transforming a Killie team from perennial relegation candidates to one of the better teams in the Scottish Premiership. He was able to use his contacts in England to get in quality players who shone. Not all of them have stayed but he’s still building a strong squad and his getting the most out of all the players in it. It’s been a really positive start to the season which seen them top their League Cup group, scoring nine goals in four games. Their start to the league campaign has also been good taking four points from their opening couple of matches. What is evident once again is how well organised Clarke has his team and they give little away, keeping clean sheets against St Johnstone and Livingston in the Premiership. Sunday will be their biggest test to date but it’s unlikely to be one they fear.
Rangers under Steven Gerrard appear to be a completely different animal this season and have started very strongly. There has been a large overhaul of players during the summer with more expected to arrive, but it’s been the attitude and fitness which has been most noticeable. Their progress to the playoff round of Europa League qualifying is indicative of all of that, most recently seeing off Maribor who themselves were competing in the Champions League group stages less than 12 months ago. In terms of domestic form then they remain undefeated after two games, drawing at Aberdeen and winning at home to newly promoted St Mirren. Rangers have finished the game with 10 men on both occasions and although that may be of some concern to Gerrard, it’s also positive to see how his team have responded both times. There is growing optimism amongst the Rangers support that they could actually challenge for the title now but before that they’ll have to prove capable of beating Celtic in the league and also trying to wrestle the first domestic trophy of the season off their Glasgow rivals. Rugby Park on Sunday is their first step on that journey and it’s likely to be a challenging one.
Kilmarnock v Rangers Betting Tips
Kilmarnock were excellent against Rangers last season, winning twice and drawing once from their four meetings. It is of course looking like a completely different Rangers team this time around, though, but Gerrard will be well aware of how difficult this tie is going to be. The artificial surface at Kilmarnock is not a favourite for visiting teams and Kilmarnock play it very well. That, combined with the fact that Rangers are coming off the back of a great – but tiring – effort in Slovenia in the Europa League would suggest that there is enough in Killie’s favour here for them to get a result. Gerrard will certainly shuffle the pack and use his squad but it will likely be the same core of six or seven that have mostly played from the outset. The big European games will continue to come for the visitors over the next couple of weeks and that will determine their playing schedule up until Christmas.
In terms of Sunday it’s a clash of two very well organised teams who know how to defend and keep a lot of clean sheets. Tiredness could be a slight issue for Rangers but overall it has all the makings of a low scoring affair. Take the under 2.5 goals on this occasion and count on Kilmarnock and Rangers continuing their good defensive form.
Selection – Under 2.5 goals 21/20 @ Marathon Bet
