Steven Gerrard is hoping to celebrate a new extended contract at Rangers by ending a difficult couple of weeks with three points against Motherwell at Fir Park this Sunday.
Motherwell Form and Team News
Currently third in the Premiership, ‘Well are expected to give a battle-weary Rangers a good workout.
Steve Robinson will need his men to be at the top of their game if they are close the gap to just four points on rangers with victory at Fir Park. The ‘Gers also have two games in hand but will be feeling the pressure of a winless three-match run.
Motherwell are desperate to hang on Wigan loanee Devante Cole in the transfer window. While he has only scored four goals, his ability to run off the front men has been a huge plus for the North Lanarkshire club in the first half of the campaign. Robinson’s side have won their last three games in the Premiership without conceding a goal since sufferig back-to-back defeats against Celtic and Hiberian. They also lost by the odd goal in three againstRangers at Ibrox in October so will fancy themselves to be competitive on home soil given their opponents’ busy schedule.
Liam Polsworth has flourished since joining from Inverness CT in the summer while Liam Donnelly is scoring some vital goals from midfield. With Jermaine Hylton enjoying playing as part of a front three, Motherwell are a lot more compact than last season and expected to field a full-strength side.
Scottish Premiership Betting at Betfred
Rangers Form and Team News
Sheyi Ojo of Rangers . Copyright: COLORSPORT/BRUCE WHITE
After throwing away a 2-0 lead at Aberdeen, Rangers lost the League Cup Final to Celtic in controversial circumstances last Sunday. They did qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League on Thursday but conceded a late goal and had Ryan Jack sent off in stoppage time to put a dampener on celebrations.
The mood around Ibrox at present is a little sombre but at least Alfredo Morelos got back on the score-sheet against Young Boys after last week’s penalty miss at Hampden.
There are, however, injury concern for Steven Gerrard ahead of the trip to Fir Park. Centre-back Filip Helander will definitely miss out and there is unlikely to be a return anytime soon for Northern Ireland international midfielder Steven Davis. George Edmundson still isn’t ready but Jordan Jones is on the way back having played an hour for the reserves this week.
Just one clean sheet in six highlights where Rangers’ problems lie and that are unlikely to end Celtic’s dominance of Scottish football until the issue is resolved. There is also a lack of discipline at times among the ranks of the Light Blues but Jack’s suspension will only apply to his next European match and will likely play against Motherwell, when Gerrard may attempt to flood the midfield and stifle the home team’s attacking threat.
Motherwell vs Rangers Live Stats & Betting Odds
Motherwell vs Rangers Head-to-Heads
Rangers have not lost any of their last six matches against Motherwell in all competitions and have won their last three. There have been at least three goals in the last three meetings between the two sides. Motherwell last beat the ‘Gers on home soil in 2015.
Motherwell vs Rangers Current Best Odds
Motherwell 7/1, Draw 21/5, Rangers 2/5 (Odds correct at 5.15pm December 13)
Motherwell vs Rangers Predictions
Rangers will be looking forward to the winter break as they have had a very busy time of it since the start of the campaign. There have been cracks appearing lately and this is another high-pressure game but their firepower can see them out-score their in-form hosts.
Rangers to win by one goal in the Winning Margins is a best 3/1 with Bet365, who have Both Teams to Score at 4/5.
