RANGERS will look to take their form in the Europa League into domestic matters as they face a potentially tricky trip to Perth to take on St Johnstone.
Rangers’ excellent form in the Europa League continued on Thursday evening, as they thrashed Nice 1-4 in the French Riviera – their biggest winning margin away from home in Europe since their famous 0-3 victory, also in France, against Lyon in 2007.
That incredible result in Nice has moved Rangers up into 8th position in the newly formed league phase table in the Europa League on 10 points, with them all but guaranteed at least a playoff place.
However, Phillipe Clement’s side travel to Perthshire off the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United in their last Premiership outing last weekend, which has since seen them fall 11 points behind leaders Celtic and nine behind second-placed Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership table.
After losing four of their opening five Premiership matches of the season, St Johnstone decided to axe unpopular manager Craig Levein and appoint former Motherwell midfielder Simo Valakari.
The Finn began his reign as St Johnstone boss with a 2-0 defeat at Ibrox against Rangers before guiding The Saints to back-to-back wins at home to Ross County and away at Dundee.
St Johnstone did go on to lose each of their next three, but a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock last time out put a halt to that and moved them four points clear from the foot of the table.
How the bookies view it: Gers unsurprising favourites
Despite winning just once on their travels domestically this season, Rangers are priced up as 8/25 favourites at Kwiff.
The same firm are pricing St Johnstone at 5/1 to claim back-to-back home wins for the first time in the league this season, whilst the draw is 17/5.
Head to head: Rangers dominance of late
Rangers have been victorious in each of the past seven meetings between these two sides, including a 2-0 victory at Hampden in the League Cup back in August and a 2-0 win at Ibrox in the Premiership at the beginning of October.
Players to watch: Another Hamza Bonanza?
Phillipe Clement made the bold decision to start Hamza Igamane up front on Thursday night in place of the hopeless Cyriel Dessers, and it paid off big time, with the Moroccan forward backing a brace and an assist.
Veteran St Johnstone striker Nicky Clark is the Perthshire side’s joint top-scorer with five goals in the Premiership this season, with the Ex-Rangers man striking in three of his last five matches.
Probable line-ups
St Johnstone will be without the likes of Cameron MacPherson, Sam McClelland, Barry Douglas and Ex-Hearts forward Uche Ikpeazu, who are all injured.
On-loan Feyenoord defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo picked up a nasty-looking injury for the Dutch U21s during the international break and will join Tom Lawrence, Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo on the sidelines.
St Johnstone: Rae, Wright, Sanders, Cameron, Raymond, Carey, Sprangler, Holt, Clark, Sidibe Kimpioka
Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Jefte, Barron, Raskin, Diomande, Bajrami, Cerny, Igamane
Anything else catch the eye?”
Rangers’ European and domestic form could not be any more contrasting, highlighted by the fact they had scored more goals in the first half against Nice (three) on Thursday night than they have in their five Premiership away fixtures this season combined (2).
That result should surely give The Gers more confidence – and whilst St Johnstone’s defence won’t be anywhere near as wide opens as Nice’s on Thursday night – I’m hopeful Rangers will get the job done.
The Teddy Bears have won the last seven meetings with St Johnstone 2-0/2-0/0-3/2-0/0-2/2-0/1-0, so a low-scoring away victory is my preferred play on Sunday.
This Scottish Premiership match between St Johnstone and Rangers will be played on Dec 1, 2024 and kick off at 12:00. Check below for our tipsters best St Johnstone vs Rangers prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
