Rangers welcome Hibernian to Ibrox in the evening kickoff on Saturday night in their League Cup quarter-final.
Rangers’ winless start to their Premiership campaign was extended to five matches last Saturday as they fell to a 0-2 defeat at home to joint-leaders Hearts on an afternoon where our man SlipsTips correctly backed The Jambos to avoid defeat.
Despite that result, Russell Martin somehow remains in a job despite the abuse directed at the ex-Saints head coach inside Ibrox, and with protests planned about his removal before the game, a cup exit on Saturday will surely seal his fate.
One of Martin’s three victories in charge of the Ibrox cup game in the last round, where they defeated League One side Alloa Athletic 4-2.
Hibs, on the other hand, remain unbeaten in the Premiership this season, as they came from 1-3 down to draw 3-3 with Dundee United last weekend, in an entertaining clash.
However, that’s now three successive draws at home in the Premiership this campaign, but their solitary victory came away from home against struggling Dundee.
David Gray’s visitors also were victorious away from home in the previous round, as goals from Josh Mulligan and new record-signing Thibault Klidje gave The Hibees a 0-2 success at Livingston.
How the bookies view it: Gers unconvincing favourites
Despite winning just three times in 12 matches in all competitions this season, Rangers have been installed as odds-on favourites here, with BoyleSports pricing a home success in 90 minutes at just 6/10.
The Hibees look a value pick at 3/1 with the same firm, whilst it’s also 3/1 at BoyleSports for the game to go into extra time and potentially penalties.
Head to head: Three unbeaten for Hibees
Rangers won the opening encounter at Ibrox 1-0 between these two clubs last season, but David Gray’s visitors are unbeaten in each of their next three (W1-D2-L0), winning 0-2 on their previous visit to Govan in April.
Players to watch: Boyle to bag again?
Martin Boyle has scored just three times this season, with all three coming in Europe, but he remains a real danger for the capital club.
The Australian international has scored in each of his last three appearances against Rangers – including in their 0-2 victory at Ibrox in April – and looks overpriced at 9/4 at BoyleSports to score against The Teddy Bears once again on Saturday.
Predicted line-ups:
Nicolas Raskin was controversially left out of the squad for the second game in a row against Hearts last week, and it is unclear if the Belgian international will be reinstated on Saturday.
David Gray should have a near fully fit squad on Saturday, with only club captain Joe Newell likely to be missing.
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Cornelius, Meghoma, Barron, Diomande, Antman, Aasgaard, Gassama, Miovski
Hibernian: Smith, O’Hora, Bushiri, Iredale, Cadden, Mulligan, Levitt, McGrath, Cadden, Boyle, Bowie
Anything else catch the eye?
It seems to be sink or swim for Russell Martin on Saturday – which is quite ironic following their trip to Loch Lomond on Monday for a team bonding exercise – and I reckon he will sink.
Whilst they will have been frustrated with several draws this season – particularly at home – Hibs have been playing levels above Rangers, and the 23/20 at BoyleSports for Hibs to avoid defeat inside 90 minutes seems far too large.
David Gray’s visitors have scored seven goals in their past three matches against Rangers – notching on multiple occasions in each of them – and the 9/5 for a repeat is far too large considering The Gers have shipped 2+ goals in three of their last four contests at Ibrox in all competitions.
GambleAware