Prediction: St. Mirren vs Rangers

Verdict: Rangers win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Knowing that they face another must-win showdown on Sunday lunchtime, Rangers will travel to Paisley when they meet St. Mirren.

St. Mirren

Starting with the hosts, while St. Mirren might have entered March’s international break with a welcomed boost, Stephen Robinson’s side have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. Last seen putting in a toothless performance away at defending champions Celtic as they slumped to a routine 3-0 drumming, the Buddies have collected just a single point from any of their previous four Premiership appearances. With their recent issues underlined by an action-packed 5-2 defeat against Kilmarnock last month, St. Mirren have also shown some extended defensive issues. Shipping 11 goals on their four-match winless rut, the former Morecambe boss will be bracing himself for another heavyweight challenge this weekend. Likewise, suffering a 2-1 loss at the hands of Hearts in their most recent showdown on home soil, Sunday’s hosts are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide underdog in Paisley.

Team News

Although Elvis Bwomono might have suffered a first-half head injury away at Celtic last time out, the former Southend defender is expected to make a return to St. Mirren’s squad here. Ahead on Sunday’s showdown in Paisley, Robinson’s men have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns to worry about this weekend.

Notching three goals in his previous six Premiership appearances, former Middlesbrough youngster Toyosi Olusanya will spearhead the Buddies’ charge. Returning from a thigh injury last month, one-time Peterborough man Mark O’Hara will keep his spot in the heart of Robinson’s midfield.

Rangers

As for the visitors, punching a Scottish Cup final ticket last week as they secured a 2-0 victory against Hearts, Rangers will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, although the Scottish giants might have gained plenty of plaudits since they appointed Philippe Clement back in October, they are facing a major uphill battle in the race to get their hands on a first Premiership crown since 2021. Last seen in top-flight action putting in a downbeat display as they had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Dundee, the former Monaco boss has seen his squad failed to win any of their previous three Premiership appearances. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat three points adrift of defending champions Celtic, Rangers will be more than aware that they have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders when they travel to Paisley on Sunday lunchtime.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Rangers are once again expected to be without the trio of Oscar Cortes, Ryan Jack and former Ajax starlet Danilo on Sunday afternoon. However, some in Clement’s camp do remain hopeful that Turkey international Ridvan Yilmaz could make a much-welcomed return here.

Bagging a Scottish Cup brace against Hearts last week and now recording 17 gaols across all competitions, attacking talisman Cyril Dessers will spearhead Rangers’ charge in Paisley. While ex-Norwich ace Todd Cantwell might have failed to notch a single strike since the start of February, the 26-year-old is expected to play a leading role this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When St. Mirren and Rangers last met back on January 27th, the Blues collected a 1-0 victory in Paisley.
• The Scottish giants have won all of their previous five consecutive showdowns against St. Mirren by an aggregate score of 14-2.
• Rangers have not suffered a single defeat against St. Mirren across all competitions since way back in December 2011.
• Along with finding the net in his last trip to Paisley, Cyril Dessers has recorded 17 goals across all competitions so far this season.
• St. Mirren have shipped 11 goals in their previous four Premiership appearances.

Conclusion

Managing to claim what was an essential Scottish Cup boost last week as they punched their spot in the final, Rangers will be more than aware that they have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. Desperate to avoid what could be a definitive blow to their title dreams, Clement’s men will at least be excited by a rampant record against Sunday’s hosts. Including a 1-0 victory when they travelled to Paisley back on January 27th, they have won all of their last five showdowns against St. Mirren by an aggregate score of 14-2.

Verdict: Rangers win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet