Livingston vs Rangers
Time – UK: 3.30 pm, India: 7.30 pm (Sunday)
Venue – Almondvale Stadium
Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have already shown that they mean business this season. The casual approach their arch-rivals Celtic have taken has been punished in every way by the Gers.
Not only have Rangers enjoyed an impressive pre-season but they have also established a five-point lead over Celtic, who have a game in hand.
Rangers won 3-0 against St Johnstone in their last Scottish Premiership outing on Wednesday and will be looking to bag full points again when they take on Livingston this Sunday.
A win at the Almondvale Stadium would ensure that Rangers will be eight points clear of Celtic by the time the Hoops return to action against Dundee United on 22nd August.
Although it’s still early days in the season, a healthy lead at the top could hand Rangers the psychological advantage as they look to stop Celtic from winning the Scottish Premiership title for the tenth consecutive time.
So without further ado, let us preview Rangers’ upcoming Scottish Premiership clash against Livingston.
Livingston vs Rangers: Recent form
Livingston: D-L-L-L-D
Rangers: W-W-L-W-L
Rangers beat St Johnstone 3-0 at Ibrox on Wednesday to claim the top spot on goal difference. Livingston, on the other hand, were held to a 2-2 draw by Motherwell away from home on the same day.
Livingston vs Rangers: Head-to-head record
Total Matches: 32
Livingston wins: 3
Rangers wins: 22
Draws: 7
Rangers won 1-0 in the last meeting between the two sides back in February. Scott Arfield scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute, with Steven Gerrard’s side enjoying as much as 71 per cent possession overall.
Livingston vs Rangers: Team news
Livingston
Following their 2-2 draw with Motherwell, Livingston manager Gary Holt said that his side will miss several key players through injuries against Rangers.
The Lions lost defender Ciaron Brown to a muscle injury in the early stages of the match on Wednesday. There could also be issues related to fatigue which might play a part in Holt’s team selection. Holt said,
“I want to be involved and I want to play, I tell that to the players. Put your work in, put your shift in, we’ll recover you. We’ve got a squad and come Sunday some of them might miss out for the right reasons rather than be poor tonight and get left out the team.”
Rangers
Summer signing Jon McLaughlin kept his place in the starting eleven against St Johnstone but might be rested for the trip to Livingston, with Allan McGregor guarding Rangers’ goal.
Kemar Roofe, another summer signing, was on the bench in the last game but he might make his Rangers debut on Sunday, given star striker Alfredo Morelos has been involved in every single game the Gers have so far played this season.
On the other hand, defender Nikola Katic remains sidelined with an injury, while striker Jermain Defoe is also set to be out as he continues with his rehabilitation process. Leon Balogun has also been ruled out with an injury.
Livingston vs Rangers: Predicted line-up
Livingston predicted line-up (3-5-2): McCrorie; Taylor-Sinclair, Ambrose, Fitzwater, Guthrie, Devlin; Forrest, Bartley, Sibbald; Dykes, Kouider-Aissa
Rangers predicted line-up (4-3-3): McGregor; Tavernier, Helander, Goldson, Barisic; Arfield, Jack, Kamara; Kent, Roofe, Hagi
Livingston vs Rangers: Where to watch
The game will be shown live on Sky Sports football. People around the world can also have access to the match through the SkyGo app.
Livingston vs Rangers: Prediction
On paper, the clash against 10th-placed Livingston looks easy for Rangers, who have been in flying form, winning their first three Scottish Premiership games.
Livingston, on the other hand, have had a difficult start to their campaign, losing the first two matches before finally managing a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Motherwell.
They would, therefore, be up for a real challenge when they host Rangers on Sunday but Steven Gerrard’s team should return home with all three points.
Livingston vs Rangers: Final verdict: 0-3
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