Rangers are suddenly two points off first-place Celtic in the Scottish Premiership. Celtic’s recent two-match losing streak has allowed Rangers to cut the gap to the top of the table.
On Sunday, Rangers will make the trip to Fir Park to play Motherwell. A win over the Well could see Rangers move to the top of the Premiership standings.
💥 @CyrielDessers pic.twitter.com/IZN5FSWlm3— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 21, 2023
💥 @CyrielDessers pic.twitter.com/IZN5FSWlm3
Motherwell will begin round No. 19 in 11th place. The team failed to win any of their 14 six matches in the competition and are struggling for points.
Rangers defeated Motherwell 1-0 earlier this season thanks to a Cyriel Dessers first-half goal.
The Blues posted five wins and a draw in the last six encounters with Motherwell in all competitions.
Confidence will be high amongst Rangers that another victory will be at hand.
Rangers are top of the form table after taking 16 points from the last 18 on offer.
The defence played well in the last six matches, conceding just twice. Meanwhile, the attack scored 11 goals.
Motherwell, on the other hand, took four points from the last six matches. All four points came from draws.
The Motherwell defence conceded 10 goals to opponents and the attack scored just six times. The Well were held scoreless in two of their last three league games.
Rangers lost just once in eight away matches this season, posting a record of 6W-1D-1L.
The defence conceded just twice away from home this season. The Blues have the best defence in the Premiership, with only eight goals conceded.
Since hiring Philippe Clement as manager, Rangers have hit new highs.
Clement has Rangers playing some of their best football since the early days of Gio van Bronkhorst’s time as coach.
Right-back James Tavernier and forward Abdallah Sima have combined for 18 goals, nine apiece this season. The duo is tied for second in scoring in the Premiership.
Clemente will be without forwards Tom Lawerence and Danilo Pereira for the match due to injuries. Midfield trio Ryan Jack, Nicolas Raskin, and Steven Davis are all ruled out of the game, too.
Motherwell’s Dan Casey won’t play due to an ankle injury. Midfielder Lennon Miller is out with a knee injury, and defender Pape Soumare won’t play following an ankle issue.
Midfielder Calum Butcher could be passed fit following a fitness issue.
Rangers are in fantastic form and should post a 2-1 Christmas Eve win over Motherwell. The victory could take Rangers to the top of the table.