Huge Match in Scottish Title Race
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The title race in Scotland has almost been non-existent in recent years, with Celtic often running away with the title. However, that has changed this season and as things stand heading into the mid-week fixtures, we have four teams still in with a realistic chance of winning the Scotland Premiership title.
Two of those teams meet on Wednesday night as Kilmarnock welcome Rangers to Rugby Park. Kilmarnock begin the week sitting in third place, with 41 points to their name and that leaves them 1 point behind Rangers and Celtic. A win could potentially move them top.
The same applies to Rangers and a win would extend their lead over Kilmarnock to 4 points and give them a chance of moving top of the table.
Kilmarnock come into this match in good form following their heavy 5-1 loss at Celtic at the beginning of December. Since that defeat, Kilmarnock have won four and drawn one of their five games in all competitions. Three of the wins have come in the Scotland Premiership with one in the Scottish Cup, which was on the weekend.
Trends show Kilmarnock have won each of their last four home Premiership matches and have lost only three of their last twenty-one at Rugby Park. Kilmarnock have scored 2 or more goals in each of their last four home games and both teams have scored in four of their last five in the Premiership.
Rangers make the short trip to Kilmarnock having seen their Scottish Cup tie postponed on the weekend due to the weather. Rangers did manage to play a match on the weekend however, winning a friendly 3-2 against HJK of Finland.
Trends show Rangers are unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions, including the friendly. They have bounced back from the run of three games without a win in December, which saw them lose at home to Aberdeen and draw at Dundee in the Premiership.
Rangers have won three and drawn two of their last five Premiership matches, with the wins coming at home against Hamilton, away to St Johnstone and most recently, the massive 1-0 win over Celtic in the old firm derby.
Away form is good and trends show Rangers are undefeated in their last six away Scotland Premiership games but have defeated Kilmarnock just once in their last six attempts.
Looking ahead to the team news and Kilmarnock have no new injuries or suspensions to worry about. Steve Clarke is expected to name a similar starting XI to the one which played in the Scottish Cup on the weekend.
Rangers will be without Graham Dorrans who has a knee injury and Jamie Murphy who is also recovering from a knee problem. Borna Barisic has returned to training following a hamstring injury but Eros Grezda is not expected to play any part in the game.
This should be a very close match and both teams will be wary about what losing will do their chances of winning the title this season. Kilmarnock have home advantage but Rangers could take a point with both teams scoring to remain in the title race.
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