Danny Rohl will look to make it two wins from two in the Scottish Premiership as his new side travels to the capital to take on Hibs at Easter Road in what promises to be an entertaining encounter.
After a poor 3-0 defeat in Bergen against Brann in the Europa League last Thursday, Danny Rohl got his first win in charge of Rangers three days later, defeating Kilmarnock 3-1 at Ibrox.
George Stanger’s tap-in cancelled out Derek Cornelius’s opener, but second-half goals from strikers Danilo and new signing Youssef Chermiti earned Rangers their second win of the Premiership season and their first at home.
That result moved them up into fifth position, somehow only five points behind second-placed Celtic, but The Teddy Bears still trail Hibernian by two points.
That’s because David Gray’s men secured an impressive 1-2 win at Pittodrie half an hour before, thanks to goals from new record-signing Thibault Klidje and Elie Youan before Marco Lazetic’s late consolation.
After three consecutive draws, The Hibees also got their first home victory in their previous home fixture, comfortably dispatching Livingston 4-0.
How the bookies view it: Gers slight favourites
Rangers are slight favourites to make it two wins in the space of four days in the Scottish Premiership, with BOYLE Sports pricing the Glasgow giants at 6/5 to leave Leith with all three points.
David Gray’s hosts are 17/10 with the same firm to record a third consecutive victory in the Scottish top flight, whilst the draw is 5/2.
Head to head: Hibees out for cup revenge
These two clubs met just last month in the League Cup quarter-finals, with a quick-fire double from Nico Raskin and Bojan Miovski secured Rangers a 2-0 victory at Ibrox.
However, the last two meetings between the pair at Easter Road have ended in high-scoring draws, and a similar outcome wouldn’t surprise me on Wednesday night.
Players to watch: Gers to rely on their skipper once again?
I backed James Tavernier to score on Sunday against Kilmarnock, so it was typical that he would provide an assist for the opener, as his free kick was nodded in by Derek Cornelius.
The Gers skipper has now five goal involvements in the Premiership this season – and set up the opener in Rangers’ 2-0 victory over Hibs in the League Cup last month – and the 15/8 on offer at William Hill for him to Score or Assist stands out.
New Hibs record-signing Thibault Klidje has taken time to settle in at Easter Road following his move from Swiss side FC Luzern in the summer.
However, the Togolese frontman has scored in both their victories over Livingston and Aberdeen in the last two matches, and the 23/10 on offer at William Hill for him to score in a third consecutive match also appeals.
Predicted line-ups:
Hibs will still be without captain Joe Newell and Alasana Manneh due to injury, whilst Warren O’Hora and Dylan Levitt are rated doubtful.
Rangers will once again be without defender Dujon Sterling.
Hibernian: Sallinger, Bushiri, Hanley, Iredale, Cadden, Mulligan, Barlaser, Cadden, McGrath, Boyle, Klidje
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Gassama, Raskin, Diomande, Aasgaard, Meghoma, Danilo, Chermiti
Anything else catch the eye?
For the second consecutive week, I successfully back goals at both ends whilst covering Rangers in the Scottish Premiership during their 3-1 win at home to Kilmarnock on Sunday, and I see no reason to change my approach here.
Rangers’ previous 17 Scottish Premiership encounters on their travels have averaged a whopping 3.82 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals paying out in 13 (76%) of them, whilst each of the last 16 have produced goals at both ends.
Hibernian’s opening 16 matches in all competitions this season have averaged 3.25 goals per game, with Over 2.5 Goals paying out in 10 (63%) of them – including in 6/7 (86%) of them at Easter Road (1-2, 2-2, 2-3, 1-2, 1-1, 3-3 & 4-0) – whilst 11 (69%) have seen goals at both ends.
The two meetings between the pair at Easter Road last season produced 10 goals, with Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals landing on each occasion (3-3 & 2-2), and the 20/21 on offer at BOYLE Sports for a repeat appeals to me here.
GambleAware