Dunfermline v Rangers
Football : Scottish Premier League
Saturday 24/09/2011 - Kickoff 12.45 (local)

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Dunfermline

I've no doubt that Dunfermline boss, Jim McIntyre, will have warned his team about the possiblity of a Rangers back lash following their rather embarrassing cup exit at the hands of 1st Division Falkirk midweek. In fact I imagine many Falkirk fans will be probably more concerned about the 7-2 pasting they got from Rangers themselves in the cup last season.

Rather worryingly for Dunfermline though is that their good results at the start of the season have dried up and they come into this game with only 1 win in 5. It's not hard to see where the problem lies either with them conceding 9 goals in their last 3 home matches.

They have no new injuries to worry about but it will be interesting to see if they go for their usual 2 strikers or opt for an additional holding midfielder.


Possible Dunfermline lineup :
Gallagher, J. Thomson, Keddie, Dowie, McCann, Cardle, R. Thomson, Mason, Graham, Barrowman, Kirk (4-4-2)

Rangers

Poor old "Super Ally" has had to suffer another serious set back midweek and another roasting from the west coast press but to be fair to him and the players they have put it behind them already and know fine well that 3pts on Saturday if the most important thing.

The manager knows better than anyone else that there is no point in just getting a massive win against their title rivals Celtic to hand back the points the following week. You have to expect them to be very solid and compact at the back especially after the midweek fiasco when they looked fragile on numerous occassions.

They are still missing 2 main defenders, Lee Wallace and Dave Weir, through injury but to be fair they have adequate cover in the squad. Seems from twitter also that Lee McCulloch will also not feature but main Striker Jelavic came on off the bench midweek following being out with a knock so he should be a starter.


Possible Rangers lineup :
McGregor, Papac, Goin, Bocanegra, Whittaker, Ortiz, Edu, Davis, Naismith, Lafferty, Jelavic (4-4-2)

THE BETTING VERDICT

Just reading the Dunfermline managers statement doesn't really inspire me with their chances here really:

"We'll need 11 players on top form to have a chance. That's not being pessimistic - it's facts. They have better players than us....."


To be honest, he is right(but I wouldn't be telling my players) Rangers man for man are far better all over the park and I think with the slip up midweek it will focus them even more on winning this game. So for me a Rangers win is not in question but the odds are not appealing, instead I will look at the asain handicaps.

This season in the league away from home Rangers have covered the -1.5 goal Asian Handicap 3 out of 4 times and that really should have been 4/4 in my book so I am happy with them to cover this again.

The Pick :

Dunfermline 0-2 Rangers

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Dunfermline 10% - Draw 20% - Rangers 70%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I expect Rangers to win

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main bet :
Take Rangers to cover the -1.5 Asian Handicap @ 2.02