Prediction: Ross County vs Rangers

Verdict: Rangers win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make it three Premiership victories on the bounce, Rangers will make the trip to Ross County on Friday night.

Ross County

Starting with the hosts, while Ross County might have managed to find a much-needed boost when opening November, it appears that might have just been a minor positive note for Malky Mackay’s men. Marking their return from the World Cup’s winter break last weekend as they suffered a late collapse on home soil, fans around Victoria Park find their side at the heart of a relegation scrap. Eventually suffering a 2-1 loss at home against St. Johnstone, the Staggies hold just a three-point buffer from slipping to the foot of the table. Mustering just a pair of wins from their last seven Premiership showdowns, the one-time Cardiff boss has also seen his side show some rather glaring issues in front of their own supporters. Including that 2-1 loss at the hands of St. Johnstone last weekend, Friday’s hosts have recorded just a sole win from their last eight contests at Victoria Park – a run that stems all the way back to August 20th.

Team News

Shown a straight red card in their 2-1 loss against St. Johnstone last weekend, Ross County will be without defender Jack Baldwin on Friday night.

Likewise, the Staggies will also be without the injured trio of Ross Callachan, Ben Purrington and Alex Samuel here. However, with three goals in his last five Premiership contests, 30-year-old Jordan White will spearhead Mackay’s charge.

Rangers

As for the visitors, while Rangers might have once again been far from their best earlier in the week, the former champions mounted another stunning comeback. Now claiming back-to-back 3-2 victories against Aberdeen and Hibernian since making their Premiership return, new boss Michael Beale will be desperate for his side to put in a far more routine display here. Knowing that they face a real uphill struggle if they’re to recapture their domestic crown this season, the former QPR boss will also be hoping for his men to find some much-needed defensive resolve. Although the Scottish heavyweights might have snatched a pair of last-gasp victories over the past week, they have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their last nine matchups across all formats. However, despite enduring a real Champions League nightmare this year, Rangers should be excited by their rampant record against Friday’s hosts. Including back-to-back 4-0 and 4-1 romps, Beale’s side are unbeaten in all 19 of their meetings against the relegation scrappers.

Team News

Coming off the bench and bagging a stunning injury-time brace away at Aberdeen earlier in the week, Scott Arfield will be hoping for a full recall on Friday night. The ex-Burnley man could replace 22-year-old James Sands.

Still dealing with long-term injury issues, Rangers will be without the likes of Kemar Roofe, Tom Lawrence, John Souttar, Ianis Hagi and Filip Helander here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back on August 27th, Rangers picked up a 4-0 romp at Ibrox.
• In fact, the former Scottish champions are unbeaten in all of their previous 19 meetings against Ross County.
• Including back-to-back 4-0 and 4-1 victories, Rangers have scored at least a trio of goals in each of their last seven meetings against the Staggies.
• Likewise, Beale’s new side have scored 11 goals in their last three trips to Victoria Park.
• However, Rangers have managed to muster just a single clean sheet in their previous nine matchups across all formats.

Conclusion

Mounting what was another stunning last-gasp comeback away at Aberdeen earlier in the week, Rangers will simply be looking to make it three Premiership victories on the bounce here. While Beale’s new squad might have shown some continued defensive issues, they will be boosted by a rampant record against Friday’s opponents. Including a 4-0 romp when they welcomed Ross County to Ibrox on August 27th, the former champions are unbeaten in all 19 of their showdowns against the Staggies. Likewise, bagging 11 goals in their last three trips to Victoria Park, we’re backing what could be an enjoyable away victory this weekend.

Verdict: Rangers win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/1

Bookmaker: Unibet