STAR PREVIEW: Rangers v Motherwell

[dropcap]R[/dropcap]angers will surely fancy their chances of establishing a healthy first-leg advantage against Motherwell as they attempt to return to the Scottish Premiership.

This may prove easier for Rangers than the play-off semi-final where they were clinical in disposing of Hibs, despite losing 1-0 in the second leg.

To say Rangers have had endured recent turmoil would be akin to saying that FIFA are currently experiencing one or two ‘administrative’ issues.

Rangers were liquidated at the end of the 2011-12 season and ‘new’ Rangers started life in the fourth tier of Scottish football.

Two swift promotions have followed and a win against Motherwell over two legs will ensure they are back (inevitably, given the size of the club) at the top level.

As an aside, looking back on the clubs history I was amazed to read that the highest ever attendance at Ibrox was an astonishing 143,570 in the match against Hibs in 1948.

Motherwell have a terrible record away from home – losing 13 of their last 15 matches.

There is currently a league between them. Motherwell finished second bottom in the Premiership and go into this battle against Rangers who finished third in the Championship.

The head to head stats should be treated with caution but offer little hope if you are a Motherwell supporter.

Both sides are expected to be largely unchanged with no fresh injury concerns.

Motherwell manager Ian Baraclough said: “We’ve got some really good flair players who can go win a game. We are going to go there and try to score. We are not going to try to sit back and defend.”

RANGERS v MOTHERWELL
Scottish Premiership Play-Off Final 1st Leg
7.45pm BT SPORT

STAR SPORTS LATEST
(Subject to change)

5/6 Rangers
7/2 Motherwell
13/5 DRAW

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Sep 2012 League Cup Rangers 2-0 Motherwell
May 2012 Premier Rangers 0-0 Motherwell
Mar 2012 Premier Motherwell 1-2 Rangers
Jan 2012 Premier Rangers 3-0 Motherwell
Aug 2011 Premier Motherwell 0-3 Rangers
Apr 2011 Premier Motherwell 0-5 Rangers
Feb 2011 Premier Rangers 6-0 Motherwell
Jan 2011 League Cup Rangers 2-1 Motherwell
Dec 2010 Premier Motherwell 1-4 Rangers
Oct 2010 Premier Rangers 4-1 Motherwell

Rangers (-1) on the three way handicap with Star Sports makes appeal at around 9/4.

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale of 1-50 points)

BACK RANGERS (-1) on the three way handicap for 10 points at around 9/4 with Star Sports

RETURN SINCE START OF WORLD CUP: PROFIT 27.19 POINTS

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