Glaswegian giants Rangers welcome Championship outfit Dundee to Ibrox for their quarter-final clash in the Scottish League Cup on Wednesday night.
The Gers are looking to reach the semi-finals for the sixth time in seven years, while the visitors have not progressed to the last four for nearly 20 years.
Match preview
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After suffering a humbling 7-1 defeat at home to Liverpool in the Champions League, Rangers returned to winning ways when they secured a 2-1 Scottish Premiership victory at Motherwell on Sunday.
Second-half strikes from Malik Tillman and John Lundstram put the Gers two goals in front, and although the Steelmen pulled one back through Stuart McKinstry, the visitors held on to claim their eighth league win of the campaign.
Indeed, Rangers have enjoyed a strong run of form on the domestic front this season, winning nine and drawing one of their 11 matches, with their only defeat at the hands of Old Firm rivals Celtic, who cruised to a 4-0 league triumph in September.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men, who sit second in the Premiership and two points behind leaders Celtic, now turn their attention to the League Cup, a competition they have not won since 2010-11.
The Gers beat Queen of the South 3-1 on home soil in the previous round and they will be confident of success against Dundee as they have won seven and drawn one of their last eight meetings with the Dark Blues.
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Dundee, meanwhile, head into Wednesday's contest off the back of a 2-1 home victory against Ayr United in the Championship last weekend.
Paul McMullan and Zach Robinson were both on the scoresheet to help the Dark Blues climb up to fourth in the table and move to within three points of Partick Thistle at the summit.
Gary Bowyer's side began the 2022-23 campaign by winning all four of their League Cup Group H matches, scoring a total of 13 goals which was more than any other side in the group stage.
Dundee then eased to a 3-0 home win against Falkirk in the second round at the end of August, but progressing from the quarter-finals against Scottish giants Rangers may be a step too far for the Dark Blues.
Dundee have lost each of their last five meetings against the Gers and they last came out on top at Ibrox back in March 2001 when they secured a 2-0 Premiership win under former boss Ivano Bonetti.
Team News
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Rangers currently face somewhat of an injury crisis, with Connor Goldson set for several months on the sidelines with a thigh injury, while Ryan Jack is ruled out for the rest of this year with a calf problem.
Tom Lawrence, John Souttar, Filip Helander, Ianis Hagi and Nnamdi Ofoborh are also ruled out with long-term issues, while Kemar Roofe is doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Van Bronckhorst is expected to freshen up his starting lineup, with the likes of Jon McLaughlin, Ridvan Yilmaz, Adam Devine and Robbie Ure – the latter of whom scored on his senior debut in the previous round – all hoping to force their way into the first XI.
As for Dundee, they have no injury concerns but Lee Ashcroft missed last weekend's win over Ayr due to illness and will be assessed ahead of Wednesday's clash with Rangers.
Bowyer will likely name a strong side, with Robinson set to lead the line and support provided in attack by McMullen and Josh Mulligan.
Rangers possible starting lineup:
McLaughlin; Devine, Sands, King, Yilmaz; Davis; Matondo, Arfield, Lundstram, Sakala; Ure
Dundee possible starting lineup:
Legzdins; Kerr, Sweeney, McGhee, French, Marshall; Grayson, Williamson; McMullen, Robinson, Mulligan
We say: Rangers 3-0 Dundee
Rangers will be regarded as strong favourites to progress against their Championship counterparts even if Van Bronckhorst decides to ring the changes.
Dundee have performed well so far in this season's Scottish League Cup, but we can see the hosts securing a routine win at Ibrox.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Oliver Thomas
