St Mirren vs Rangers: Team news, predictions, key men and latest Scottish Premiership odds

Having been knocked out of the Europa League by Athletic Bilbao last week, Barry Ferguson’s side will be hoping to end the season in the most positive mood possible, as they edge closer to sealing second spot in the Scottish Premiership, though Stephen Robinson’s side will look to build on their 3-2 win over Ross County a fortnight ago.

Ahead of the game, we look through each team’s recent form, and give our predictions for the game based on the form of both sides:

St Mirren Recent Form

The Paisley outfit secured their place in the top six of the Scottish Premiership ahead of Hearts and Motherwell with a late 3-2 win against Ross County last time out, though their form in general has been patchy at best. While a 5-1 hammering of Kilmarnock was a standout result, a 2-0 defeat to Dundee and a 5-2 hammering at home to Celtic - coupled with a draw Motherwell - means they’re recent record is quite inconsistent.

Last six games: W-L-W-D-L-L.

Rangers Recent Form

Few clubs can claim to be as varied as Rangers have been in recent weeks, although the Ibrox giants have been strong on the road. Currently on a nine game unbeaten away run in the Scottish Premiership, Ferguson’s side have beaten Dundee, Celtic and Kilmarnock away from home recently, while a last gasp Ianis Hagi goal ensured they took a share of the spoils against Aberdeen last time out, despite playing the bulk of the game with 10-men following Ross McCausland’s sending off in the first-half. In contrast, Rangers’ home form has been dreadful, losing their last three home games in the league.

Last six games: D-L-W-W-L-W

St Mirren v Rangers Team News

Rangers are sweating on the fitness of a number of players, with several first team stars picking up injuries in last week’s 2-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League quarter-finals. Leon Balogun (cheekbone), Ridvan Yilmaz (ankle), Tom Lawrence (unknown) and Rafael Fernandes (knock) are all expected to miss the game, while Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) and Dujon Sterling (Achilles) are both ruled out of the game at the weekend with long-term injuries. Ross McCausland will sit the game out due to suspension following his red card at Aberdeen two weeks ago.

The hosts have a more healthy looking squad, but will be without talented teenager Evan Mooney (ankle) and Elvis Bwomono (calf) for the clash.

St Mirren Player to Watch: Mikael Mandron

The powerful striker appears to cause Rangers problems every time he faces them. His physical prowess will be relied upon this weekend as the Saints look to unsettle a shaky defence. He scored the last time the sides faced each other at Ibrox, and will have his eye on notching again as the sides go head-to-head at the SMiSA Stadium.

Rangers Player to Watch: Hamza Igamane

Has found himself out of the team in recent weeks, with Rangers interim boss Ferguson saying he wants to “see more” from the young Moroccan striker. He grabbed a much-needed goal in the 2-2 draw with Aberdeen a fortnight ago, and was the team’s most dangerous attacker in the game as they battled back for a point with 10-men. He’ll hope he has done enough to wrestle a starting spot from Cyriel Dessers, and will want to prove he should be the club’s central striker in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

St Mirren v Rangers predictions

Should St Mirren inflict defeat on the travelling Gers, it will be the first time they have beaten their Glasgow neighbours in three successive games for the first time since the 1985/86 season - and there’s no reason why they can’t. Rangers are so inconsistent in the league, it is difficult to work out exactly what kind of performance they’re going to put in.

One positive of the Ferguson era has been their results on the road, with Rangers now unbeaten in nine league away games stretching all the way back to December 26 (when they last played at the SMiSA Stadium.) This one is just too hard to call, however. We predict they’ll be plenty of goals as the sides share the points.

Prediction: St Mirren 2-2 Rangers.

St Mirren v Rangers odds

With odds of 17/20, Rangers are favourites to win game, with hosts St Mirren priced at 11/4 /1 to inflict defeat on the Light Blues. Fancy a draw at the SMiSA Stadium? A draw also comes in at a price of 11/4*

*All odds are offered by SkyBet and are subject to change at any time. Please gamble responsibly.