Rangers vs Hibernian

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Rangers are set to face Hibernian this Saturday, aiming to secure a win that would propel them back to the top of the Scottish Premiership table. Meanwhile, Hibernian, who have shown significant improvement lately, are eager to continue their unbeaten run and secure their position in the top six before the cutoff.

Despite expressing frustration over the late postponement of their match against Dundee prior to the international break, Rangers may have benefited from the extended rest period, much to the possible relief of manager Philippe Clement.

In the first half of March, Rangers experienced some underwhelming performances, notably suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Motherwell. Although their 3-2 loss to Benfica in the Europa League last 16 was respectable, Rangers twice held the lead on aggregate and ultimately fell 1-0 at Ibrox.

While Clement and his team may have aimed to redeem themselves following the European setback against Dundee, some players in the squad will have enjoyed a 16-day break from action by the time they step onto the pitch on Saturday.

Rangers, trailing Celtic by just one point, have a crucial game in hand, emphasizing the importance of securing a win, especially before the upcoming Old Firm derby next weekend.

Their upcoming opponents, Hibs, have displayed resilience, having suffered only one defeat in their last eight matches across all competitions, which was against Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Nick Montgomery, Hibs' manager, can take pride in his team's recent league performances, having amassed 12 points from their last six games, although notably without facing Rangers or Celtic. Despite this, Hibs have managed three consecutive wins at Easter Road and three successive draws on their away fixtures.

However, it's worth noting that earlier in the season, Hibs suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, and their overall scoreline against Rangers this season stands at 0-9 across three matches in all competitions.

While Dujon Sterling might be poised for a comeback with Rangers, it's anticipated that Oscar Cortes, Ross McCausland, and Abdallah Sima will likely be unavailable. Depending on the condition of players returning from international commitments, the lineup could resemble the one seen against Benfica, but there are several contenders vying for a spot.

Both Todd Cantwell and Rabbi Matondo are pushing for inclusion, alongside Nicolas Raskin who could feature in midfield. Unless there are any new injury setbacks, Montgomery might stick with the same starting eleven that secured victory against Livingston.

With three more rounds remaining before the final stretch of the season commences, Rangers occupy the second spot while Hibernian sits in sixth. The stakes are high for Rangers as they trail Celtic by a single point with an extra match in hand. Eager to bounce back from their recent Europa League exit at the hands of Benfica, Rangers approach their upcoming matches with determination.

Their prior Europa League fixture ended in a disappointing 1-0 loss, marking their second defeat in four games and leaving them with only one victory in their last four matches. Notably, their most recent domestic encounter saw them triumph 2-0 against Hibernian in the Scottish Cup, securing their sole clean sheet in five matches. However, their defensive record has been inconsistent, with both teams finding the net in three of their last five games. Following two consecutive home defeats, Rangers are keen to deliver a stronger performance in their upcoming match.

On the other hand, Hibernian has faced defeats in their last six encounters with Rangers, conceding nine goals across three fixtures this season. Positioned in sixth place with 38 points, they hold a narrow two-point lead over seventh-placed Dundee. Avoiding defeat in the upcoming match is crucial for Hibernian to prevent slipping into relegation territory. Motivated by the desire for redemption, especially after their sole defeat in the last eight matches came against Rangers, Hibernian aims to turn the tables.

Their recent 3-0 victory over Livingston before the international break showcased their improving attacking prowess, with goals scored in at least three of their last four games. However, their winless streak of five league matches presents a challenging backdrop for such an important fixture. Despite drawing their last four away league games and securing just two wins in 12 away league fixtures, Hibernian remains determined to make an impact.