Rangers will look to bounce back from another disappointment in Europe on Thursday night as they face a tricky trip to Almondvale to take on Livingston.
Rangers’ humiliating start to the season continued on Thursday night, as they were beaten 0-1 at home to Genk in their Europa League opener.
The Teddy Bears remain winless after five matches in the Scottish Premiership (W0-D4-L1) and will come into Sunday’s clash at Livingston level on points with bottom side Aberdeen should The Dons win at Motherwell on Saturday.
Livingston come into this clash one point above their visitors, after having picked up five points from their opening six matches since their immediate return to the Premiership.
However, David Martindale’s hosts come into this clash off the back of an agonising defeat, as a 97th-minute Callum Jones penalty saw them lose 3-2 at previously winless Dundee.
How the bookies view it: Gers unconvincing favourites
Despite still being winless in the Premiership this season, Rangers come into this clash as odds-on favourites, with BoyleSports pricing an away success at 8/13.
Livingston are 16/5 to chalk up their second league victory of the campaign, whilst a draw is 14/5.
Head to head: Rangers dominance
Rangers are unbeaten in each of their previous 21 meetings with Livingston, winning 19 of them (W19-D2-L0).
Livingston’s last success against Rangers came in September 2018, with a Dolly Menga goal sealing a 1-0 success.
Players to watch: Miovski the man?
Bojan Miovski grabbed his first goal for Rangers since signing from Girona against Hibs last weekend, helping them secure their place in the League Cup semi-final.
Therefore, it was perhaps surprising that he started their defeat against Genk on Thursday night on the bench, but I expect the North Macedonia international to come back into the starting 11 on Sunday, and he is 6/4 at BoyleSports to get on the scoresheet.
Predicted line-ups:
Livingston will, once again, be without the injured trio of Cammy Kerr, Aidan Denholm and Christian Montano.
Rangers will be without long-term absentee Dujon Sterling and Lyall Cameron due to injury.
Livingston: Prior, Finlayson, Blaney, Wilson, Montgomery, Sylla, Tait, Smith, Pittman, Yengi, Muirhead
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Meghoma, Raskin, Diomande, Moore, Aasgaard, Gassama, Miovski
Anything else catch the eye?
I appear to sound like a broken record, but it amazes me that Russell Martin is still in charge at Rangers following another dismal defeat on Thursday night, and for as long as he is, I’ll continue to oppose them.
Given their performances and results this season, Rangers are far too short to back, meaning I like Livingston +0.75 on the Asian Handicap, meaning if The Lions avoid defeat we receive a full payout, whilst a one-goal loss means we would only lose half of our stakes.
All five of The Teddy Bears’ Premiership matches have seen Under 2.5 Goals payout, as well as each of their last two fixtures in the cup and in Europe in the past week, and the 23/20 at BoyleSports for a repeat appeals.
GambleAware