Rangers welcome Dundee United to Ibrox for their last home game of 2005.
Dundee United have been a bit of a bogey team for Rangers this year and Rangers will be out for some revenge to end the year on a high.
Of the three league games played against United in 2005, two of them were draws and one was a defeat and there was only three goals scored between the three games. The 2005 games finished 1-1, 0-1 and 0-0.
In the three league games played in season 2004/2005 there were two 1-1 draws and a 0-1 defeat although Rangers did thrash United 7-1 in a League Cup semi-final at Hampden. Rangers haven’t beaten United in a league game since Dec 6th 2003.
Rangers will be desperate for the three points in this one after drawing 3-3 with Dunfermline on Boxing Day and slipping back down to 5th place in the league.
Rangers form in recent weeks has been improving and last week’s 3-3 draw was disappointing so we need to get back on track here and continue to collect the points and climb up the table.
The two teams directly above them (Hibs and Kilmarnock) face each other in the live Setanta game on January 2nd and a draw would probably suit Rangers in that one.
Rangers Team News:
Rangers will again be without Soti Kyrgiakos after his third red card of the season last week, Bob Malcolm is also suspended.
Rangers have eight first team players missing through injury but should have Fernando Ricksen back in the squad after a three week absence.
Possible line-up:
Waterreus, Smith, Fanfan, Andrews, Murray, Thompson, Ferguson, Buffel, Burke, Lovenkrands, Novo
Player to watch: Peter Lovenkrands
Let’s hope that Pistol Pete can keep up his great form. He has scored 7 goals in the last 4 games.
Dundee United Team News:
Dundee Utd will have to find a replacement for midfielder Peter Canero who signed for New York/New Jersey Metrostars this week.
They also have Grant Brebner and Lee Mair out injured.
Player to watch: Lee Miller
A striker who interested Rangers manager Alex McLeish in the summer before he signed for United.
Match Facts & Stats
Rangers record v United @ Ibrox
Played……74
Won………49
Drawn…….13
Lost……..12
Goals for…138
Against…..61
Previous encounters this season
Dundee Utd 0 Rangers 0, Sun 16 Oct
Ref Watch:
Charlie Richmond
Match Prediction:
There haven’t been many goals scored in this fixture in the last year or so but Rangers have been in a few high scoring games recently.
However I can’t see there being too many so I’ll go for a narrow 1-0 victory for the Gers.
Next Fixtures:
Next 3 fixtures
Sat 7.1.2006 – Peterhead (h), Scottish Cup
Sun 15.1.2006 – Motherwell (a), SPL
Sat 21.1.2006 – Livingston (h), SPL