RANGERS will look to address their terrible away record domestically as they travel to Tannadice at Sunday lunchtime to take on third-placed Dundee United.
Rangers sealed their place in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup last Sunday, as they cruised to a 5-0 victory over Highland League side Fraserburgh on an afternoon both of my selections landed.
Prior to that, Phillipe Clement’s side maintained their excellent home record with convincing wins over both St Johnstone and Aberdeen, but it’s their away form that’s prevented them from challenging Celtic for the title this term.
The Teddy Bears have embarrassingly picked up just 13 points from their 11 away matches in the league this season (W3-D4-L4), failing to win any of their past four.
Unlike their visitors, Dundee United failed to progress to the fifth round of the Scottish Cup, as they suffered an agonising 1-0 defeat away at city-rivals Dundee on Monday night.
Nevertheless, Jim Goodwin’s side put an end to their two-match losing run in the Premiership in their last league outing, with their late 0-1 victory away at St Mirren leaving them in third position, two points clear of fourth-placed Aberdeen.
How the bookies view it: Gers unconvincing favourites
BoyleSports makes Rangers 4/9 favourites to claim just their fourth away win in the Premiership this season.
The same firm has a home success at 9/2, whilst the draw is 16/5.
Head to head: Rangers dominance of late
Rangers are unbeaten in each of their previous eight meetings with The Tangerines – winning six of them (W6-D2-L0) – but Dundee United did earn a point in their last meeting at Ibrox at the end of November.
Players to watch: Another Hamza bonanza?
Hamza Igamane bagged the opener against Aberdeen in their last Premiership outing, with the Moroccan starlet now netting 12 goals in his last 14 appearances for The Teddy Bears.
Sam Dalby is Dundee United’s top scorer this season, banging in 10 goals in the Premiership, and scored the opener in their 1-1 draw with Rangers at Ibrox.
Probable line-ups
Dundee United have a near full fit squad to choose from, with only Craig Sibbald and David Babunski.
Connor Barron and Vaclav Cerny went off injured at Old Trafford on Thursday night and will join John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo, Dujon Sterling, Oscar Cortes and Danilo in the treatment room.
Dundee United: Walton, Strain, Adegboyega, Holt, Ferry, Sevelj, Docherty, Trapanovski, Stephenson, Middleton, Dalby
Rangers: Kelly, Yilmaz, Propper, Nsiala, Jefte, Raskin, Diomande, Hagi, Bajrami, McCausland, Igamane
Anything else catch the eye?
As alluded to above, Rangers have a wretched away record domestically this season, and whilst one of their three away victories this term came at Tannadice, you simply can’t back them here, especially after a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Europa League on Thursday
.
Dundee United have been impressive since their immediate return to the Scottish top-flight, picking up 37 points and losing just six times across their opening 23 matches (W10-D7-L6).
At home, Jim Goodwin’s side have W5-D3-L3, losing just one and conceding a measly two goals in their last six (W3-D2-L1) – which includes a goalless draw with champions Celtic – and I’m keen to back The Tangerines to avoid defeat in this one.
This Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Rangers will be played on Jan 26, 2025 and kick off at 12:00. Check below for our tipsters best Dundee United vs Rangers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
