Following their first Scottish Premiership defeat in 41 matches, Rangers will be looking to bounce back when they travel to Ross County on Saturday.
Having gone the entirety of last season unbeaten in the league on the way to lifting the title, Steven Gerrard's side lost 1-0 to Dundee United in just the second match of the new campaign a fortnight ago.
Match preview
© Reuters
It was Jamie Robson's second-half goal that stopped Rangers in their tracks at Tannadice Park after they had eased past Livingston 3-0 on the opening weekend.
Since then, the Gers have been knocked out of the Champions League by Malmo, but thrashed Dunfermline 5-0 in the League Cup last weekend and won 1-0 in the first leg of their Europa League playoff against Alashkert at Ibrox.
A big week now lies in store, as after their trip to Victoria Park they go to Armenia for the second leg and then face the first Old Firm derby of the season next Sunday.
But Gerrard has called on his players to "wake up", after admitting that performances have not been up to standard so far this season and that they are yet to match the rhythm they found in 2020-21.
Rangers have won their last nine games against Ross County and have not even conceded a goal against them since January 2018; over three matches last season they clocked up a scoreline of 11-0.
© Reuters
The omens are therefore not good for the Dingwall side, who finished 10th last season and have made a winless start in the Scottish Premiership this year under new boss Malky Mackay.
After a 0-0 draw with St Johnstone on the opening weekend, County were beaten 3-0 by Hibernian a fortnight ago, failing to even register a shot on target as they conceded all three goals in an 11-minute first half period.
It is clear that it is still a work in progress at Victoria Park, with winger Joseph Hungbo arriving on loan from Watford this week – Mackay's 10th signing of the summer as he continues his rebuild.
Life will certainly not be easy for the former Cardiff boss; after facing Rangers, the Staggies are away at Aberdeen and Celtic either side of the international break.
- D
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- D
- L
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Joseph Hungbo's arrival gives Mackay the option of playing natural wingers on both sides of Ross County's attack; the Watford loanee could go on the left with Blair Spittal moving from the centre of midfield to the right.
Spittal netted twice from the right wing against Montrose in the League Cup; defender Alex Iacovitti and striker Jordan White are the only other players to score for the Staggies this season, also in that competition.
Tom Grivosti is back on the training field following a long-term hamstring injury and is edging closer to a return, while Southampton loanee Jake Vokins remains out with a broken metatarsal.
After resting a number of players against Dunfermline in the League Cup, Steven Gerrard returned to a much stronger lineup in the Europa League; we should see a similar team on Sunday but with Jon McLaughlin replacing Allan McGregor in goal.
Juninho Bacuna became the club's latest signing of the summer on Thursday, but he is unlikely to be thrown in straight away due to a lack of match fitness.
Ryan Jack and summer signing Fashion Sakala are still sidelined with knee and groin injuries respectively, but Gerrard has said neither are too far away from a return.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall, Donaldson, Watson, Iacovitti, Charles-Cook; Spittal, Callachan, Tilson, Hungbo; White
Rangers possible starting lineup:
McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Bassey; Davis, Lundstram, Arfield; Hagi, Morelos, Kent
We say: Ross County 0-2 Rangers
A two-week break will have helped Mackay solidify his squad and they are unlikely to capitulate again like they did against Hibernian, but Rangers will still have too much for the Staggies. Gerrard's side are building momentum again after defeat to Dundee United and should claim victory.
Top tip
Olly Allen
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 75.75%. A draw had a probability of 15.5% and a win for Ross County had a probability of 8.78%.
The most likely scoreline for a Rangers win was 0-2 with a probability of 12.69%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-3 (10.4%) and 0-1 (10.33%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (7.35%), while for a Ross County win it was 1-0 (2.99%). The actual scoreline of 2-4 was predicted with a 1.6% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Rangers would win this match.
