With nearest rivals Celtic not in Scottish Premiership action this weekend, leaders Rangers can open a seven-point advantage at the top of the standings if they beat Dundee United on Saturday.
The match at Ibrox is the pick of the four fixtures taking place in the top flight of Scotland this weekend, although all eyes will be drawn to Hampden Park on Sunday when Hibernian and Celtic go head-to-head for the first piece of silverware of the season in the Scottish League Cup final.
Gers to Overcome Out of Sorts Dundee United
Rangers have coped well since the departure of former boss Steven Gerrard to Aston Villa, as new manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst has registered six wins and a draw from his seven matches since taking charge last month.
That sequence includes a run of five straight league victories, which has extended the Gers’ winning run in the Premiership to seven matches, given they also won the final two games of Gerrard’s tenure.
Van Bronckhorst will expect his side to register another victory when fourth-place Dundee United visit Ibrox on Saturday as despite their lofty position in the standings, the Terrors are on a poor run of form, losing three on the spin and picking up just one win from their last eight league fixtures.
Tam Courts’ side did claim a 1-0 victory over Rangers when the two sides met at Tannadice back in August – ending the Gers’ 41-match unbeaten run in the process – but it is difficult to see a repeat on Saturday.
Rangers have scored two or more goals in six of their last seven fixtures at Ibrox across all competitions, so backing them to notch over 3.5 goals on Saturday at 2/1 could prove shrewd.
Hearts to Get Back on Track
Hearts were keeping pace with the Old Firm over the opening months of the season, but a run of three wins in 10 has derailed their progress of late, although they do remain third in the standings.
Robbie Neilson’s side will head to Dens Park on Saturday to take on Dundee and they will be confident of returning to winning ways, as the hosts are on a three-match losing run.
An away win can be backed at 20/23, with Dundee’s cause not helped after striker Jason Cummings was sent home from training this week following a breach of club discipline and he will not be considered for selection on Saturday.
Motherwell to Add to St Johnstone’s Woes
Motherwell lost narrowly at Celtic last weekend, but despite that defeat Graham Alexander’s side have been in good nick of late, particularly at home, as they have won back-to-back games at Fir Park against Hearts and Dundee United.
Alexander will hope his side can extend that winning run when bottom-of-the-table St Johnstone head to town this weekend.
After finishing fifth and winning both domestic cup competitions last term, Saints have endured a severe drop off this season, with a run of four straight league defeats leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.
Goals have also been hard to come by for Callum Davidson’s side, as they have scored just one across their last five matches, and it could be more misery for the team from Perth on Saturday, with a Motherwell win to nil priced at 49/20.
*All odds correct at time of writing
