The opening weekend of the 2023-24 Scottish Premiership season sees Kilmarnock entertain Rangers at Rugby Park in Saturday's late kickoff.
Killie finished third from bottom last term – six points clear of the bottom two – while the Gers finished seven points shy of champions Celtic.
Match preview
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Having gained promotion to the Premiership in 2021-22, Kilmarnock's main aim last season was to avoid an immediate return to the Championship, and the East Ayrshire outfit ultimately managed to stave off relegation.
Despite losing 20 of their 38 league matches last term – picking up 11 wins and seven draws along the way – Killie finished six points outside the bottom two, thanks largely to a run of three victories in the final four matches.
Derek McInnes's side looked dead and buried following a run of one win, three draws and six defeats after the turn of the year, but they managed to turn things around, winning five of their final nine games to secure survival.
On July 15, Kilmarnock kicked off their 2023-24 campaign with an easy 3-0 victory over Annan Athletic in the Scottish League Cup, while subsequent wins against Dunfermline and Albion Rovers have seen them take control of Group F.
At the end of the day, McInnes will be looking to establish consistency and stability at Rugby Park in 2023-24, as Killie have experienced relegation, promotion and a close shave across the previous three campaigns.
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Rangers can count themselves unfortunate to have missed out on the Premiership crown last term after finishing 35 points clear of third-placed Aberdeen, with Michael Beale's side falling seven points short of Celtic's title-winning total.
Although the Gers lost only four of their 38 league games last season – scoring 93 goals while conceding on just 37 occasions – they failed to keep pace with their Old Firm rivals and were forced to settle for second place once again.
Still, Rangers will be hopeful of dethroning Celtic in 2023-24 following Ange Postecoglou's Parkhead departure, as the Australian manager guided the Bhoys to five trophies in two years before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur.
It would not be unfair to say that Rangers have experienced an indifferent pre-season, as they managed to win just one of their four warm-up matches in July, suffering defeats to Newcastle United and Olympiacos while defeating Hamburger SV.
The Gers registered a 2-2 draw against Hoffenheim last time out, coming from 2-0 down to regain some pride thanks to second-half goals from James Tavernier and Sam Lammers, so they will aim to carry that momentum into the new campaign.
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Team News
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Kilmarnock midfielder Fraser Murray has already chalked up two goals and two assists in four League Cup appearances this season, while striker Innes Cameron has bagged two goals and one assist.
Oxford United loanee Stuart Findlay has also chipped in with a couple of goals from defence, so the 27-year-old will likely continue alongside Robbie Deas and Lewis Mayo in a back three for the hosts.
Killie have also managed to retain the services of Bournemouth goalkeeper Will Dennis for another season, while Matt Kennedy and Marley Watkins have joined on free transfers from Aberdeen.
Rangers have parted ways with a number of key players this summer, releasing Alfredo Morelos, Allan McGregor and Filip Helander while losing Antonio Colak, Scott Arfield and Ryan Kent.
However, Beale has brought in plenty of reinforcements, including goalkeeper Jack Butland and midfielder Kieran Dowell, with Danilo, Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Dujon Sterling and Leon Balogun also arriving at Ibrox.
The Gers look set to begin the season without injured pair Steven Davis and Leon King, while Nnamdi Ofoborh remains sidelined due to heart problems.
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Dennis; Mayo, Findlay, Deas; Murray, Lyons, Magennis, Kennedy; Armstrong, Cameron, Watkins
Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Tavernier, Lundstrum, Souttar, Yilmaz; Cantwell, Raskin, Dowell; Dessers, Roofe, Lammers
We say: Kilmarnock 1-3 Rangers
Determined to keep pace with Celtic in 2023-24, Rangers look set to kick off their Premiership campaign with a relatively straightforward victory over Kilmarnock, who have lost each of their last six meetings with the Glasgow giants.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
