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

Dundee and Rangers will make a third attempt to play their Scottish Premiership fixture at Dens Park on Wednesday night, with St Johnstone's McDiarmid Park on standby should it be required.

Rangers head into the contest desperate to take advantage of their game in hand after their shock defeat to Ross County on Sunday left them four points adrift of leaders Celtic in the standings.

Match preview

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On the back of securing a last-gasp draw against Celtic in the recent Old Firm derby, Rangers had kept the title race in their own hands ahead of games with Dundee and Ross County.

However, another wasted trip to Dundee - again through an unplayable pitch - halted their momentum, and their trophy hopes were left in tatters to a certain degree at the weekend.

Second-bottom Ross County produced a stunning second-half performance to come from behind and post a 3-2 victory over Philippe Clement's side, handing the advantage to Celtic.

If Rangers can prevail on Wednesday, they will remain within one point of Celtic with another Old Firm derby still to come, yet a major pendulum shift occurred over the weekend.

Rangers have also now won just three of their last eight games in all competitions, keeping just one clean sheet, and Dundee will only be encouraged ahead of this rearranged contest.

From Dundee's perspective, they have taken flak from Rangers for the condition of their pitch, and perhaps rightly so given the circumstances of at least one of the postponements.

Dundee will argue different, as well as be increasingly motivated to win this game once it is eventually played, as they bid to end the season in fifth position.

Tony Docherty's side already know that they will feature in the top six after the cut-off, a consequence of the goalless draw at Aberdeen at the weekend.

For a team that has won just two of seven games in the top flight, the pressure has been lifted when their opponents are at the opposite end of the scale.

Team News

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Docherty could be prepared to name much of the Dundee XI that earned a point at Pittodrie, aside from Malachi Boateng coming into the midfield to replace Mohamed Sylla.

Diego Pineda and Owen Beck are expected to remain sidelined for this contest, but Curtis Main was able to return to the squad after injury at the weekend.

Clement is expected to make numerous alterations to his Rangers XI with Dujon Sterling, Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo all in line for recalls.

Leon Balogun and Nicolas Raskin will all feel in contention for an appearance, with Kieran Dowell and Fabio Silva among those who should drop out.

Mohamed Diomande may have to miss a second fixture due to a thumb injury, while Ryan Jack and Oscar Cortes will miss this game.

Dundee possible starting lineup: McCracken; Portales, Shaughnessy, Donnelly; McGhee, Cameron, Sylla, McCowan, Costelloe; Bakayoko, Tiffoney

Rangers possible starting lineup: Butland; Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic; Raskin, Lundstram; Sima, Lawrence, Matondo; Dessers

We say: Dundee 1-2 Rangers

Given the animosity that has emerged off the pitch, expect Dundee to be highly motivated to inflict more misery on their higher-profile opponents. Nevertheless, we feel that Rangers will do just enough to edge this contest, potentially through a late goal.

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