Two clubs that had contrasting fortunes in Europe in midweek meet at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon as Rangers take on Hibs in the Scottish Premiership.
Following another trophyless season and a third-placed finish in the Premiership, Rangers allowed head coach Danny Rohl to move on to Red Bull Salzburg in the summer and swiftly replaced him with ex-Hearts boss Derek McInnes.
However, the nine-in-a-row hero failed to get off to a winning start last Friday, as the Teddy Bears could only draw 1-1 away at Dundee United in their Premiership opener – on an evening I landed a 39/40 winner.
Things would get worse in Europe on Thursday night, as Rangers suffered a 2-1 loss in Poland in the first leg of their Europa League third-round tie – on a night both of my selections landed.
Hibs, on the other hand, were on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline on Thursday night, as they defeated KF Shkendija in the first leg of their Conference League third-round tie.
However, David Gray’s visitors suffered defeat in their Premiership opener last weekend, as they were beaten 1-2 at home to fellow Conference League hopefuls Motherwell.
How the bookies view it: Rangers favourites
Rangers are favourites to get their first victory under Derek McIness at Ibrox on Sunday, with bet365 pricing a home success at 8/15.
Hibs are 9/2 to leave Govan with all three points, whilst the draw pays 10/3.
Head to head: Gers dominance
This is a fixture have dominated in recent years, with the Teddy Bears winning 21 and losing just three of their previous 33 meetings with the Hibees (W21-D9-L3).
However, the capital club did win the most recent meeting with the Teddy Bears, winning 1-2 at Ibrox in May.
Players to watch: Boyle to bag against Gers again?
Martin Boyle has a terrific personal record against Rangers, scoring a joint career-best nine goals against the Teddy Bears – including the opener when the sides last met at Ibrox in May.
The Australian has gotten on the scoresheet twice already this campaign – including one from the penalty spot against Motherwell last weekend – and is an appealing 6/4 at bet365 to Score or Assist.
Predicted line-ups:
Rangers will be without defender Ben Godfrey due to injury, whilst Connor Barron is a doubt.
Hibs will be missing the injured Rocky Bushiri and Jack Iredale, whilst Nicky Cadden and Jamie McGrath are doubts.
Rangers: Pandur, Sterling, Fernandez, Makhanya, Rommens, Devlin, Raskin, Curtis, Aasgaard, Shankland, Chermiti
Hibernian: Sallinger, Passlack, O’Hora, Kerr, Obita, Mulligan, Chaiwa, Mayor, Boyle, Elding, Lowe
Anything else catch the eye?
Rangers’ previous 15 matches in the Scottish Premiership have averaged a whopping 4.47 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score paying out in 14 (93%) of them – as well as in each of their last 10 in all competitions – whilst 12 (80%) have gone Over 2.5 Goals.
Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals has paid out in five of the Hibees’ previous six Scottish Premiership matches – as well as in each of their last three in all competitions – and a repeat pays an appealing 10/11 at bet365.
Interested in why both teams scoring is such a strong angle? Check out our Masterclass on BTTS and sharpen your match-reading game.
GambleAware