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Scottish Premier League Preview: Hibernian - Rangers
| Bet: | Returns: | Hibernian £19.00 | Draw £32.50 | Kilmarnock £37.50 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hibernian £11.11 | Draw £70.00 | Kilmarnock £460.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Hibernian £20.00 | Draw £34.00 | Kilmarnock £37.00 |
|
Aug 21, 2010 6:28:00 PM
By Gareth Lovell
Fond memories
Rangers travel to Easter Road to take on John Hughes’ Hibernian in their second SPL game of the season.
Easter Road will hold many fond memories for Rangers fans as they lifted the SPL title there last season. A Kyle Lafferty goal gave Rangers the win and their 53rd league title that day, although last season's goalscoring hero is likely to be on the bench for this encounter.
Rangers began the defence of their SPL title last week with a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock, Steven Naismith netting against his former club for the winner. Kenny Miller and Naismith will have added pressure on them this season as they look to replenish the goal void left by top talisman Kris Boyd.
Flying start
Hibernian got off to a fine start last week with a 3-2 win over Motherwell. Hughes will have been delighted with his side's start to the season, however their Europa League campaign was cut short by NK Maribor. The midweek game could either mean that Hughes’ sides come out a lot sharper than many of the other SPL sides who will be finding their feet in the new season, or alternatively he’ll be hoping they don’t suffer a hangover from the European loss.
TEAM NEWS
Hibernian
Hibs will be without Ian Murray who is still serving a suspension so it’s likely manager John Hughes will name an unchanged line up from the side that trounced Motherwell on the opening day
Possible starting XI: Stack; Hart, Hogg, Hanlon, Bamba; Miller, McBridge, de Graff, Nish; Stokes, Riordan
Rangers
New signing Vladimir Weiss is understood to have a chance of making his first start for the club since moving from Manchester City on loan.
James Beattie is likely to start his second SPL game up front with Kenny Miller as the former goes in search for his first SPL goal.
Possible starting XI: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weird, Papac; Weiss, Davis, Edu, Whittaker; Killer, Naismith
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hibernian
Derek Riordan was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet last week but played provider for the Hibs equaliser where his ball saw Anthony Stokes head in against the run of play. That goal was a fine example of how Riordan has the ability to change the game at a moment's notice. Hibs will be relying on his quick thinking and delivery to provide others with the chance to hit Rangers where it hurts.
Rangers
Vladimir Weiss is expected to start for Rangers and will be looking to make a major impact in his first league game. Weiss has pace and power that he’ll look to use to cause the Hibbies defence headaches all afternoon. If he can supply the delivery for the likes of Naismith and Miller than we could see Rangers dominate from the get-go.
PREDICTION
Hibs and Rangers is always an entertaining game, and goals are certainly likely to be seen. But with Walter Smith now having a decent sized squad with adequate depth and new faces such as Weiss eager to impress, signs point to Rangers picking up their second consecutive victory and six points in the SPL.
Rangers travel to Easter Road to take on John Hughes’ Hibernian in their second SPL game of the season.
Easter Road will hold many fond memories for Rangers fans as they lifted the SPL title there last season. A Kyle Lafferty goal gave Rangers the win and their 53rd league title that day, although last season's goalscoring hero is likely to be on the bench for this encounter.
Rangers began the defence of their SPL title last week with a 2-1 win over Kilmarnock, Steven Naismith netting against his former club for the winner. Kenny Miller and Naismith will have added pressure on them this season as they look to replenish the goal void left by top talisman Kris Boyd.
Flying start
Hibernian got off to a fine start last week with a 3-2 win over Motherwell. Hughes will have been delighted with his side's start to the season, however their Europa League campaign was cut short by NK Maribor. The midweek game could either mean that Hughes’ sides come out a lot sharper than many of the other SPL sides who will be finding their feet in the new season, or alternatively he’ll be hoping they don’t suffer a hangover from the European loss.
TEAM NEWS
Hibernian
Hibs will be without Ian Murray who is still serving a suspension so it’s likely manager John Hughes will name an unchanged line up from the side that trounced Motherwell on the opening dayPossible starting XI: Stack; Hart, Hogg, Hanlon, Bamba; Miller, McBridge, de Graff, Nish; Stokes, Riordan
Rangers
New signing Vladimir Weiss is understood to have a chance of making his first start for the club since moving from Manchester City on loan.James Beattie is likely to start his second SPL game up front with Kenny Miller as the former goes in search for his first SPL goal.
Possible starting XI: McGregor; Broadfoot, Bougherra, Weird, Papac; Weiss, Davis, Edu, Whittaker; Killer, Naismith
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hibernian
Derek Riordan was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet last week but played provider for the Hibs equaliser where his ball saw Anthony Stokes head in against the run of play. That goal was a fine example of how Riordan has the ability to change the game at a moment's notice. Hibs will be relying on his quick thinking and delivery to provide others with the chance to hit Rangers where it hurts.Rangers
Vladimir Weiss is expected to start for Rangers and will be looking to make a major impact in his first league game. Weiss has pace and power that he’ll look to use to cause the Hibbies defence headaches all afternoon. If he can supply the delivery for the likes of Naismith and Miller than we could see Rangers dominate from the get-go.PREDICTION
Hibs and Rangers is always an entertaining game, and goals are certainly likely to be seen. But with Walter Smith now having a decent sized squad with adequate depth and new faces such as Weiss eager to impress, signs point to Rangers picking up their second consecutive victory and six points in the SPL.
Hibernian 1 - 2 Rangers
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