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

Rangers welcome Hibernian to Ibrox on Boxing Day for what should be a mouthwatering Scottish Premiership clash with both teams looking to maintain league momentum.

The table-topping Gers are looking to tighten their grip on first place over the festive period, while in-form Hibs have Celtic in their sights.

Match preview

Rangers were finally beaten in 2020-21 last week when St Mirren knocked them out of the League Cup, but they have brushed off that disappointment and bounced back with two fine league wins.

Last weekend, the Light Blues beat Motherwell 3-1 at Ibrox before travelling to Perth in midweek to beat St Johnstone 3-0, meaning that they have now won their last 11 league games.

Goals from Kemar Roofe, Glen Kamara and Ianis Hagi saw off the Perth Saints, but boss Steven Gerrard was also delighted with the way that Joe Aribo performed at McDiarmid Park.

The halfway point of the Scottish Premiership campaign has now been reached and Gerrard is happy with the tally of 53 points his team have amassed.

One of Rangers' two league draws this season was against Hibs, though, back in September when the clash at Easter Road ended 2-2.

That means that Gerrard will be highlighting the importance of keeping complacency out of things to his players, especially after the recent reverse in Paisley showed that they can be vulnerable.

Hibs warmed up for their trip to Govan with a 1-0 win over St Mirren at Easter Road on Wednesday evening. with Kevin Nisbet htting his 12th goal of the season.

That was a fiery contest with Hibs' Christian Doidge receiving a red card in the 88th minute, after Brandon Mason of the Buddies had been given his marching orders five minutes previously.

Doidge was sent off after receiving a second yellow card and Hibs boss Jack Ross felt that the second card was unwarranted. The player will not be available for the trip to Ibrox but Ross feels that he may benefit from the enforced rest.

Hibs are now in third place in the league table after their win in Paisley, a point behind Celtic in second and a point ahead of Aberdeen in fourth, though both those teams have games in hand on the Leith outfit.

Cypriot defender Alex Gogic believes that Hibs are capable of qualifying for Europe. If they want to prove that they are then they need to take points from games like Saturday's.

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

Hibernian Scottish Premiership form: DDWWDW Hibernian form (all competitions): WWWWDW

Team News

Rangers are hopeful that Scotland midfielder Ryan Jack will be able to return to the squad after recovering from a knee injury that has kept him out since November.

Nikola Katic is still sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, while Alfredo Morelos, Jordan Jones and George Edmundson are suspended.

Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano limped out of the win over St Mirren with a hamstring injury and Dillon Barnes, currently on loan from Queens Park Rangers, could be set to deputise.

Striker Doidge is suspended, so coach Ross will be weighing up his options as to who should partner Nisbet in attack.

Rangers possible starting lineup: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Arfield, Davis, Kamara; Roofe, Kent; Itten

Hibernian possible starting lineup: Barnes; McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Stevenson; Boyle, Halberg, Newell, Magennis; Gullan, Nisbet

We say: Rangers 1-0 Hibernian

While Hibs are in good form currently, we suspect that Rangers will take the three points on Boxing Day and continue their march towards the Scottish Premiership title.

The Gers will be too strong defensively for a depleted Hibs attack to pierce and a solitary goal will be sufficient for them to take the points.

Top betting tip

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