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Ross County
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 16
Dec 6, 2020 at 12pm UK
Victoria Park
Rangers logo
Ross County
0 - 4
Rangers

Vigurs (45'), Paton (61'), Iacovitti (80')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Roofe (28'), Tavernier (56'), Morris (72' og.), Defoe (90')

Preview: Ross County vs. Rangers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash between Ross County and Rangers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rangers head into their Scottish Premiership encounter with Ross County on Sunday looking to extend their 11-point lead at the top of the table.

Ross County, meanwhile, are having a tough time in the league, winning only one of their last 13 top-flight matches.


Match preview

Rangers celebrate Scott Arfield's goal against Standard Liege in the Europa League on December 3, 2020© Reuters

Rangers overcame a "stiff test" on Thursday night as they came from behind twice to win 3-2 at Ibrox, confirming their place in the last 32 of the Europa League.

Manager Steven Gerrard was pleased with his side's second-half performance and the "amazing character to come back" and win the game.

Gerrard is keen to finish top of group D, but his primary focus now is Sunday's match with Ross County, a team that Rangers have a strong record against.

Under Gerrard's management, Rangers have kept clean sheets and have won all four of their Scottish Premiership games against Ross County.

The Gers have also won each of their last seven league matches this campaign, keeping a clean sheet in their last six – this is their best winning run in the top flight since October 2011.

Rangers, who are currently 11 points clear of Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership, have the chance to win their 14th match from 16 league outings this weekend and maintain their unbeaten record in all competitions.

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard pictured on November 22, 2020© Reuters

Ross County surprised everyone on Sunday as they took advantage of Celtic's woes with goals from Ross C Stewart and Alex Iacovitti securing an impressive 2-0 away victory at Celtic Park in the Scottish League Cup.

The Staggies, who have been drawn away to Livingston in the quarter-finals, have enjoyed their cup run this season, however their league form leaves much to be desired.

Ross County have not won in seven Scottish Premiership games and manager Stuart Kettlewell declared that last Saturday's 3-1 defeat against 10-man Kilmarnock was one of the worst results in his 12 years with the club.

Kettlewell will take confidence from how his side responded with an impressive performance against Celtic and will hope that they can replicate that against Rangers on Sunday.

The Staggies however have a poor record against the Gers and have lost seven consecutive Scottish Premiership meetings against them since a 1-1 draw in February 2017.

Since beating Motherwell on the opening day of the season, Ross County are winless in six home league games.

Another surprise victory over a Glasgow giant could move the Staggies up to eighth in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form: LDLLDL
Ross County form (all competitions): LDWWLW

Rangers Scottish Premiership form: WWWWWW
Rangers form (all competitions): DWWDWW


Team News

Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield celebrates scoring against Benfica in the Europa League on November 26, 2020© Reuters

Rangers midfielder Ryan Jack, who has missed the previous three matches, remains doubtful after suffering a knock, while Filip Helander remains out as he has tested positive for coronavirus.

Scott Arfield, who has scored in all of the last four matches at Ibrox, is set to remain in midfield and Joe Aribo could be brought into the starting lineup after beginning the match in midweek on the bench.

Ross County goalkeeper Ross Doohan, who was ineligible to play against his parent club Celtic last weekend, is likely to replace Ross Laidlaw in goal.

Defender Callum Morris played his first match of the season in the win at Celtic Park and could keep his place in the starting XI as one of three centre-backs.

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Randall, Donaldson, Morris, Iacovitti, Reid; Paton, Tillson, Vigurs, Lakin; Stewart

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Barasic; Arfield, Davies, Aribo; Roofe, Morelos, Kent


SM words green background

We say: Ross County 0-3 Rangers

Ross County's victory over Celtic will give them belief heading into Sunday's match, but the chances of another shock result against Glaswegian opposition seems slim. The strength and quality of Rangers should see Gerrard's men comfortably win at Victoria Park.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Rangers win with a probability of 81.02%. A draw had a probability of 12.3% and a win for Ross County had a probability of 6.68%.

The most likely scoreline for a Rangers win was 0-2 with a probability of 11.34%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-3 (10.81%) and 1-2 (8.23%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (5.75%), while for a Ross County win it was 2-1 (2.09%). The actual scoreline of 0-4 was predicted with a 7.7% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Rangers would win this match.


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A general shot of the Global Energy Stadium, the home of Ross County
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic30225371234871
2RangersRangers29231564164870
3Hearts3017493930955
4Kilmarnock30111183933644
5St Mirren30126123637-142
6Hibernian30911104145-438
7Dundee2999114050-1036
8Motherwell30711124147-632
9Aberdeen3079143348-1530
10St Johnstone30610142141-2028
11Ross County3069152851-2327
12Livingston3038192052-3217

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