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

Rangers will look to put the pressure on league leaders Celtic when they travel to Fir Park to face Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.

The visitors are currently six points adrift of top spot ahead of the weekend's round of fixtures, while the Well are in sixth position.

Match preview

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Motherwell crept into the Championship Group in the most dramatic of circumstances after they snatched a point off Livingston to seal their place in the top six.

Livingston were on course to move into the top six, when goals from Odin Bailey and Alan Forrest gave their side a two-goal lead and though Callum Slattery cut the deficit in half in the 72nd minute, it seemed as though Motherwell would slump to defeat.

However, in the third minute of stoppage time, Ricki Lamie came up trumps to spark wild scenes of jubilation among the away support, with the point securing the Wells a place in the Championship Group.

Graham Alexander's side will now be dreaming of qualifying for the Europa Conference League, with just a point separating them from the top four.

Motherwell will battle it out with Dundee United and Ross County for the fourth and final European spot, but if they wish to emerge victorious from the three-way fight then the Well must improve on a run of form that has seen them win just one of their last 13 league matches.

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Rangers, meanwhile, enter the contest in a buoyant mood after securing their passage to the Scottish Cup final with an extra-time victory over their Old Firm rivals Celtic last weekend.

Greg Taylor gave Celtic the lead at Hampden Park, but the semi-final contest would go to extra-time after Scott Arfield equalised in the 78th minute before Rangers booked their place in the final courtesy of an own goal from Carl Starfelt.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side are also preparing for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against RB Leipzig, which takes place on Thursday, but before they head off to Germany, they must negotiate a tricky away meeting with Motherwell.

With Rangers currently six points adrift of Celtic, the visitors know that they must win on Saturday to put the pressure on their rivals, who also play Ross County on Sunday.

The Gers will have fond memories of their last trip to Fir Park after beating Motherwell 6-1 in December and another win on Saturday would represent a fourth consecutive away league victory for the visitors.

Team News

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Nathan McGinley is expected to miss out for the hosts, while Barry Maguire remains a long-term absentee.

Bevis Mugabi is expected to continue at right-back for a third consecutive game, while Mark O'Hara may be presented with a starting place after coming off the bench at half time against Livingston.

Meanwhile, Kevin van Veen is set to lead the line for the hosts, with the Dutchman looking to add to the eight league goals that he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they are without the injured trio of Filip Helander, Alfredo Morelos and Ianis Hagi for the remainder of the season.

They are also expected to be without Aaron Ramsey and Kemar Roofe for at least three matches due to hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

Van Bronckhorst is set to make a number of alterations to the starting lineup, with Allan McGregor expected to return between the posts, while Fashion Sakala and Arfield could both be involved from the first whistle on Saturday.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Mugabi, Lamie, Johansen, Carroll; Slattery, O'Hara, Goss; Shields, Efford, Van Veen

Rangers possible starting lineup:

McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Bassey, Barisic; Jack, Lundstram; Arfield, Aribo, Kent; Sakala

We say: Motherwell 0-2 Rangers

Although they will buoyed by their dramatic 2-2 draw last time out, Motherwell have won just one of their last six home league matches, and we think that the hosts will struggle against a Rangers side that have been victorious in four of their previous five Scottish Premiership encounters.