Aiming to keep their hopes of securing the Scottish crown alive, Rangers will welcome Europe-chasing Kilmarnock to Ibrox Stadium for a Scottish Premiership clash on Sunday afternoon.
The Gers managed a much-needed three points at St Mirren last time out, whilst Killie could only earn a share of the spoils at home to Hearts.
Match preview
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Rangers commenced their post-split schedule with a vitally important three points at the SMISA Stadium last Sunday, when the Gers survived a St Mirren comeback to earn victory, keeping their dreams of chasing down arch rivals Celtic for the Premiership title alive heading into May.
An own goal from St Mirren centre-back James Bolton had the visitors ahead before Mikael Mandron equalised later in the first half, but it was Rangers who claimed the last laugh on the afternoon courtesy of Cyriel Dessers, who netted his 14th goal of the Premiership campaign.
Hurtling towards the final quartet of fixtures in the 2023-24 league term, Philippe Clement's troops are currently sitting in second place, three points behind league leaders Celtic, who Rangers will travel to face on May 11 for a game which could decide the destination of the title.
The Gers have already faced off against Kilmarnock three times this season, collecting six points, with one of Rangers' six defeats in the league arriving against Killie back in August on the opening day of the term, when Brad Lyons netted the only goal of the game.
Operating at right-back, James Tavernier is the surprise leader of Rangers' Golden Boot race in the Premiership with 17 strikes, but 12 of those have been netted from the penalty spot.
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Kilmarnock extended their unbeaten run in the Premiership to six matches last weekend when they faced off against Hearts, with both Will Dennis and Zander Clark keeping clean sheets at Rugby Park.
With four matches remaining in the league campaign, Killie are well on course for a top-four finish and subsequent qualification for next season's Europa Conference League, with Sunday's visitors nine points clear of fifth-placed St Mirren.
Key to Kilmarnock's success this term has been the defensive solidity instilled into them by head coach Derek McInnes, with Killie conceding 34 goals in as many matches in the Premiership - only title chasers Celtic (27) and Rangers (24) have allowed in fewer so far.
Similar to a lot of sides in the Premiership, Kilmarnock have struggled to win consistently on their travels this term, collecting maximum points from just three of their 16 away league matches, meaning that Sunday's trip to Ibrox is destined to be a very difficult assignment.
Team News
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Rangers are currently without the services of attacker Abdallah Sima, who picked up a hamstring injury during the Scottish Cup victory over Hearts.
Ridvan Yilmaz has not featured for the Gers since sustaining his own hamstring issue whilst on international duty with Turkey during March's international break.
Clement's charges are missing the knowhow of veteran Ryan Jack, with the midfielder recovering from a knock sustained in March whilst playing against Benfica in the Europa League.
There is a long-term absentee in the Kilmarnock ranks in the form of Kyle Magennis, who has not featured for the club since December due to a serious hamstring injury.
Liam Polworth and Liam Donnelly have held down the midfield fort in Magennis's absence, with Kyle Vassell and nine-goal striker Marley Watkins providing the firepower up front.
Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Tavernier, Balogun, Souttar, Barisic; Diomande, Lundstram; Sterling, Cantwell, Silva; Dessers
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Dennis; Wright, Mayo, Findlay, Deas; Armstrong, Donnelly, Polworth, Kennedy; Vassell, Watkins
We say: Rangers 2-0 Kilmarnock
Rangers are top of the home form table this season, and we cannot see the Gers slipping up here as they look to hunt down Celtic in the race for the title.
Kilmarnock are heading towards a brilliant finish this season, but we do not envisage a landmark success at Ibrox for the visitors this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
