Preview: Hibernian vs. Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Rangers will aim to build on their superb 3-0 victory in the Old Firm Derby as they head to Easter Road Stadium on Sunday to face an in-form Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.

The visitors are second in the table with 39 points from the first 19 games of the campaign, while the hosts are seventh in the standings with 25 points from 21 outings.

Match preview

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Rangers have faced an extremely turbulent time in the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership so far, including disappointingly making their worst start to a campaign since their first year back in the top flight in 2016-17.

After 12 matches, they had won seven, drawn two and lost three, leaving them significantly behind Celtic at the top of the table, but an upturn in form saw them win four on the bounce and begin to claw back at the gap.

A shock 2-1 loss to St Mirren and 2-2 draw with Motherwell followed, sparking concerns that Rangers were returning to their early season form, but a fantastic 3-0 win against Celtic in their most recent outing has put those fears to bed.

The victory saw the Gers hand their rivals their first domestic loss of the campaign, while it also closes the gap to 11 points and will undoubtedly increase belief and confidence around the Ibrox.

Now aiming to build on that victory as they look to slowly chip away at Celtic's lead at the top of the table, Phillipe Clement's side are set to take on the most in-form team in the division.

Hibernian narrowly finished outside of the top six places in last year's Scottish Premiership, placing seventh in the pre-split table and just two points outside the top half, leaving them hopeful of climbing into the top half this term.

However, Hibs endured a dismal start to the campaign as they won just one of their opening 14 league fixtures, alongside seven losses and six draws, leaving them firmly in the battle against relegation.

Their fortunes have quickly changed in the past weeks, though, with Hibernian rising into seventh place thanks to five wins, one draw and one loss in their last seven outings.

David Gray's side are actually heading into this one unbeaten in their past five, with four wins and one draw, leaving them as the most in-form side in the league, a fact they will be aiming to maintain with another victory here.

Team News

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The hosts are expected to be without Kieron Bowie (hamstring), Marvin Ekpiteta (thigh) and Mykola Kukharevych (groin) for this match due to ongoing injury concerns.

Elsewhere, having enjoyed a significantly improved run of results in recent weeks, Gray may choose to name a similar side in this match as he looks to continue their strong form.

As for the visitors, Jack Butland, James Tavernier, Jack Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Tom Lawrence are all unlikely to feature due to a variety of injury issues.

After defeating rivals Celtic 3-0 in a fantastic performance in their last outing, Clement is expected to name an unchanged starting team in this one.

Hibernian possible starting lineup: Smith; Miller, Kiranga, Iredale; C. Cadden, Triantis, Kwon, N. Cadden; Campbell; Boyle, Gayle

Rangers possible starting lineup: Kelly; Yilmaz, Sterling, Propper, Jefte; Diomande, Raskin; Cerny, Bajrami, Hagi; Igamane

We say: Hibernian 1-2 Rangers

Hibernian may be enjoying a strong run of form heading into this one, but Rangers will be hugely confident after convincingly beating Celtic last time out, and we believe the visitors will win again here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.