Rangers Vs Hibernian
Wednesday 5th February 2020 – 19:45 Kick-Off
Scottish Premier League
Pick: Rangers/Rangers (HT/FT)
Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Ladbrokes
Preview: Rangers have lost their way since the turn of the year and can ill-afford another setback when they entertain Hibernian at Ibrox on Wednesday night. The omens are encouraging for the home side, after thrashing the same opponent 6-1 in Glasgow in the second SPL fixture of the term back in August.
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Table of Contents
Rangers Preview – Winning imperative following recent slip-ups?
Momentum in the SPL title race was firmly with Rangers once they went to Celtic Park in the final fixture of 2019 and departed with the sort of victory which felt like it meant a great deal more than merely another three points. It was the culmination of a month’s hard labour, representing a fifth win in six league games during a demanding December which concluded with the destiny of the league in their hands.
Within the first month of the new year, that destiny has been well and truly conceded after twice dropping points in eminently winnable encounters. Gerrard claimed his side were the ‘first to blink’ following the shock 2-1 loss away to rock-bottom Hearts, but the weekend’s 0-0 draw at Ibrox with Aberdeen made it seven points from the last twelve available to leave them seven points adrift in second. Albeit still possessing a game in hand.
Just four goals were scored across their four SPL matches with St Mirren (1-0), Hearts (L2-1), Ross County (2-0) and Aberdeen (0-0) since the turn of the decade, with some citing the club’s decision to jet off to Dubai during the winter break as a potential cause for the recent slump. Losing Jermain Defoe to a long-term injury is another blow as it means even greater dependency on the unpredictable Alfredo Morelos for the remainder of the campaign.
Hibernian Preview – Lacklustre return to SPL set to continue?
Similarly, Hibernian returned from a training camp in sunnier climes supposedly recharged and well-rested. This hasn’t necessarily translated onto the pitch, though, with Jack Ross’ men beginning sluggishly on a couple of occasions, fighting back from losing positions to claim a point or better in two of their three Scottish Premiership matches since the winter break concluded.
Both instances were back at Easter Road, in fixtures they were favourites to win according to bookmakers. Their opening encounter of 2020 pitted them at home to struggling Hamilton; 1-0 down inside 20 minutes, Hibs fought back to win 2-1 after two second-half goals. A goalless draw at Motherwell was to follow before they would again find themselves trailing at home, this time 2-0 down inside the first 20 minutes before rallying before the interval to earn a 2-2 draw.
Five points from nine is hardly disastrous, but more was expected while at no stage have they been convincing – not that it comes as much of a surprise during a lacklustre campaign thus far which has seen them registered seven win less than a third of their fixtures (7 of 24). The prospect of that somehow improving here is improbable: away from home, Hibernian have won only three of twelve altogether (W3 D3 L6), averaged a goal per game and lost three of the most recent five (W1 D1 L3).
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Betting Summary
Neither team can lay claim to having made full use of their warm weather training camps recently. Rangers winning 50 per cent of their league contests so far (W2 D1 L1) and Hibernian one of three (W1 D2). The latter’s slow starts – falling behind in two of three fixtures in 2020 – could spell trouble, though, with another comeback highly unlikely from a side boasting only 12 away goals from as many games this season.
Rangers Vs Hibernian – Key Facts:
- At home in the SPL this season, Rangers won nine of eleven games (W9 D1 L1) whilst averaging 2.7 goals per game.
- As the away side, Hibernian have claimed maximum points on just three of twelve occasions this season (W3 D3 L6), scoring only 12 goals.
- Rangers, who were 6-1 winners at Ibrox when the two sides met in August earlier in the season, have won the previous three SPL meetings with Hibernian.
This will be the second meeting between the two at Ibrox and, if the first is any sort of barometer as to how this second re-enactment goes, it could be a long night for Hibernian. Rangers were 6-1 victors on that occasion and while their goals have dried up of late, the fact Hibs recently shipped two goals against both St Mirren and Hamilton – sides in the bottom-three – would indicate another comfortable evening for the hosts.
Best Betting Odds for Rangers Vs Hibernian
Rangers – 1/5 Bet365
Draw – 13/2 Betway
Hibernian – 16/1 Ladbrokes
