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

Two sides at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership table are set to meet on Sunday afternoon when title hopefuls Rangers host relegation-threatened Ross County at Ibrox Stadium.

The hosts are second in the standings with 50 points from their 24 fixtures, while the visitors are in 10th and with 26 points from their 24 outings.

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Match preview

Rangers experienced a shaky start to the season, suffering elimination from the Champions League with a 3-1 defeat over two legs to Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round, while also recording their worst start to a Scottish Premiership campaign after 12 matches since 2016-17.

Philippe Clement came under intense criticism due to that, but the manager has successfully steered Rangers back on track, with the team showing notable improvement in recent weeks.

The Gers have subsequently lost only one of the next 12 Scottish Premiership fixtures, alongside eight wins and three draws, helping them climb the table and into second place, though they still trail Celtic by 10 points.

During that time, Rangers have also confirmed their place in the Europa League round of 16 as they secured an eighth-placed finish, while they heartbreakingly lost in an Old Firm derby Scottish League Cup final, defeated on penalties after a 3-3 draw in 120 minutes.

They are now heading into this one unbeaten in their last eight matches in domestic competitions, while they have avoided defeat in all of the last 12 meetings at Ibrox with Ross County.

As for Ross County, a disappointing start to the season saw the Staggies win just three of their opening 18 Scottish Premiership fixtures, leaving them firmly in the relegation battle.

Don Cowie's men eventually experienced a run of positive results as they picked up three wins and one draw in a four-game stretch over December and January, but they have since suffered two defeats and a draw.

Those results leave Ross County 10th in the Scottish Premiership with 26 points, just a point above 11th-placed Kilmarnock, leaving the Staggies desperate to start picking up points and avoid a third consecutive appearance in the relegation playoff.

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Team News

Rangers are expected to remain without Dujon Sterling (foot) and Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) for a number of weeks due to ongoing injury problems, while Leon Balogun and Leon King are also doubts to feature.

Mohammed Diomande will also be absent for the Gers after the midfielder received a straight red card for violent conduct in the 95th minute of their 3-1 win against Dundee Utd.

Elsewhere, Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers have started alongside one another in attack in the past two matches, and they are likely to continue their partnership here.

Ross County are dealing with several injury issues to key players, including Alex Samuel (thigh), Jack Grieves (head), Michee Efete (Achilles tendon), Ryan Leak (Achilles tendon) and Will Nightingale (unspecified).

Ronan Hale ended his nine-game goal drought in the 3-2 defeat to Livingston in the Scottish Cup, followed by another in the last match against Hibernian, and the striker will be aiming to extend his scoring run here.

Rangers possible starting lineup: Butland; Tavernier, Propper, Nsiala, Jefte; Raskin, Bajrami; Cerny, Hagi, Igamane; Dessers

Ross County possible starting lineup: Amissah; Wright, Tomkinson, Campbell; Brown, Randall, Nisbet, Ashworth; Chilvers; Robesten, Hale

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We say: Rangers 2-0 Ross County

Rangers are enjoying a much greater run than their visitors heading into this game, while the hosts have also been dominant in this fixture, leading us to believe the Gers will win here.

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

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