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Alloa Athletic
Scottish Championship
Aug 16, 2015 at 12.30pm UK
 
Rangers logo

1-5

Chopra (7')
FT(HT: 1-4)
Tavernier (4'), Waghorn (9' pen.), Holt (39'), Miller (43', 85')

Preview: Alloa Athletic vs. Rangers

Sports Mole previews the Scottish Championship clash between Alloa Athletic and Rangers at Recreation Park.

Rangers will be looking to continue their winning start to the season when they face Alloa Athletic in their clash at Recreation Park.

Mark Warburton began his reign as the club's manager with a 3-1 victory over St Mirren, while Alloa opened their campaign with a defeat to Queen of the South.


Alloa

Liam Buchanan of Alloa Athletic FC in action during the pre-season friendly at Recreation Park on July 17, 2014© Getty Images

The Wasps got their season off to the worst possible start as they were hammered 3-1 by James Fowler's men, conceding all three goals in the first half.

Danny Lennon's side showed spirit to rally to get one back as Iain Flannigan netted early in the second half, but the home side still could have added to the scoreline before securing the victory.

Lennon admitted that his side made uncharacteristic errors in their defeat to Queen of the South, which they can ill afford when they take on Rangers.

Alloa barely escaped the drop last season when they finished in the relegation playoff spot, but Lennon's men managed to overcome Brechin City and Forfar Athletic to remain in the division.

However, the poor display in their opener suggests that another season of struggle could be on the cards for the Wasps. Meanwhile, the club have already crashed out for the Scottish League Cup following their defeat to Berwick Rangers in the first round, meaning that there will be no repeat of last year's run to the final.

Alloa's home form was one of the main reasons for their survival last term as 17 of their 27 points came at Recreation. Lennon will be hopeful that his team can add three to the total this year to take the scalp of the Gers.

Recent form: WWWWLL


Rangers

I
Mark Warburton the Brentford manager looks on before the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Brentford at Craven Cottage on April 3, 2015© Getty Images

Warburton had the perfect start to his league campaign as the Gers' boss with a convincing 3-1 victory over St Mirren at Ibrox.

Lee Wallace put the home side in front after just four minutes and he netted a second in the 26th. St Mirren came back with a goal from Cameron Howieson, but Dean Shiels secured the win for Rangers.

The Gers have been active in the transfer market since their win with the additions of Nathan Oduwa and Dominic Ball on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, although they are set to miss out on the signing of Scott Allan from Hibernian as he is expected to join Celtic.

Rangers have been pursuing the midfielder throughout the summer so the news will be a blow to Warburton, but he has revealed that he is moving on to other targets. The club still also have plenty of quality in their squad.

The Gers struggled last season on the road compared to their promotion rivals as they took 32 points from their 18 matches, losing four matches on their travels, but they did show signs of improvement with a 6-2 demolition of Hibernian in the Scottish Challenge Cup.

Warburton will be hopeful that he can improve their record on the road to take the club back into the Scottish Premiership.

Recent form: LLLWWW


Team News

Michael Chopra could start for the Wasps after making an impact in the second half of their defeat to Queen of the South on the opening day.

Eddie Ferns and Jason Marr are also options for Lennon to consider for the clash against the Gers after they started on the bench last week.

Oduwa and Ball are unlikely to be thrown straight into the mix by Warburton for the match as he is likely to name an unchanged team.

Shiels could come into the side after scoring from the bench in the win over St Mirren, while Nicky Clark and David Templeton are also pushing for a starting berth.

Alloa possible starting lineup:
Crawford; Williams, Reintam, Hamilton, Hill; McAusland, O'Brien,McManus, Flannigan, Duffy, Chopra

Rangers possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Tavernier, Kiernan, Wilson, Wallace; Law, Halliday, Holt; McKay, Waghorn, McKay


Head To Head

The last match between the teams ended in a 2-2 draw as a late strike from Liam Buchanan earned Alloa a point at Ibrox.

Rangers won the last match at Recreation Park 1-0 thanks to a goal from Nicky Law, but Alloa did knock the Gers out of the League Cup last season with a 3-2 home victory.

Over the course of history, Rangers have won nine of the meetings compared to Alloa's solitary triumph last season. Four of the matches have ended in draws, including three last term.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Alloa 0-3 Rangers

Rangers have hit the ground running this season under Warburton, while Alloa looked suspect at the back in their opening match of the campaign. The Gers should secure a comfortable victory at Recreation Park.



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Lee Wallace of Rangers controls the ball during the Pre Season Friendly match between Rangers and Newcastle United at Ibrox Stadium on August 06, 2013
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