Motherwell v Rangers
Football : Scottish Premier League
Sunday 21/08/2011 - Kickoff 14.15 (local)

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Motherwell

Motherwell are currently sitting pretty at the top of the SPL undefeated and without yet to concede a goal in 4 games. There is a lot to like about this young team who like to keep the ball on the ground and play football. Stuart McCall is a manager I like and he is certainly doing well with a good group of players who managed to reach the Scottish Cup final last season.

I imagine he will be relieved if he can get past the close of the transfer window without anyone coming in for the likes of Jamie Murphy and Chris Humphrey.

They will have fans favourite Keith Lasley back from suspension for this one and he adds much needed experience to the middle of the park. It will be interesting to see if McColl deploys the same 4-3-3 system as last week with Murphy, Humphrey and Higdon up front.


Possible Motherwell lineup :
Randolph, Hateley, Craigan, Hutchinson, Hammell, Jennings, Lasley, Law, Humphrey, Murphy, Higdon (4-3-3)

Rangers

The pressure at Rangers has been mounting really from the opening day of the season when they failed to get a win at home to Hearts and since then they have very carelessly failed to qualify for the Champions League and are now in need of a good home win to scrap a place in the Europa League.

They still have defensive problems for this match with Papac, Weir and Bartely all out. They have though signed American defender Bocanegra who may well have to get thrown straight into the team which is not ideal but more of a necessity.

Maurice Edu will have to sit this one out through suspension but I am expecting Whittaker to be back after a broken toe and could slot into the midfield.


Possible Rangers lineup :
McGregor, Goian, Bocanegra, Broadfoot, Wallace, Whittaker, Davis, Ness, Ortiz, Naismith, Jelavic (4-4-1-1)

THE BETTING VERDICT

I can understand why many people will fancy Motherwell to get something out of this game given their current form and the possibility of a european hangover for Rangers but, I don't!

A quick look at league meetings last year says it all for me, Rangers seriously had the upper hand winning all 4 meetings by an aggregate of 19-2. Although I like this Motherwell team I can't look past previous results and I think that Rangers have a much better midfield which will dominate the play.

I am happy to pick Rangers to win this match and am also tempted to take the -1 Asian Handicap. For people who like to back a goalscorer Jelavic anytime scorer at around evens always appeals to me.

The Pick :

Motherwell 1-3 Rangers

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Motherwell 18% - Draw 25% - Rangers 57%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Main Bet :
Ranger to win at odds of 1.72

HANDICAP BETTING :

Consider:
Rangers -1 Asian Handicap