Kilmarnock vs Rangers prediction 18/01/2023

• Date: 18/01/2023
• Competition: Premiership
• KO: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
• Venue: The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park (Kilmarnock)

Following a thrilling semi-final win in the Viaplay Cup on Sunday, Rangers return to Premiership duties as they take on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

Now nine points adrift of leaders Celtic, The Gers' slim hopes of a 56th Scottish title are again on the line, with the visitors knowing a win is a must if they are to keep up the pressure on their old firm rivals.

Kilmarnock were also involved in the Viaplay Cup semis, however, they would bow out following a hotly disputed 2:0 loss to Celtic in the first semi-final on Saturday.

Kilmarnock vs Rangers Betting Tips: Rangers to win/BTTS

While Rangers' overall performances have yet to reach anywhere near the heights of last season´s extraordinary run to the Europa League final, the Gers do seem to be building a head of steam under new boss Michael Beale. Since the Englishman´s appointment at the back end of last year, the Gers have won five and drawn one of six matches, including a 2:2 draw with Celtic at Ibrox earlier this month.

Winning five of their last six in the Premiership, Rangers scored at least two goals in all five victories. On the road, the Gers have picked up five wins from their last seven, including each of the last three.

Struggling for clean sheets before Beale´s arrival, the returns to fitness of centre-back pair Goldson and Davies has proved vital for the Teddy Bears, who have since kept the opposition out in three of their last four league matches.

Still, Rangers will expect a tough match here, with Killie losing just one of their last eight at Rugby Park since a 5:0 battering from Celtic back in August. Since then, Derek McInnes's side have won five and drawn twice, with only Livingston leaving Ayrshire with all three points.

A usually tight affair, just one of the last 13 meetings between these sides has seen more than three goals scored. Indeed, each of the last four have finished with under 2.5 goals scored, including Rangers' narrow 1:0 win on their last visit to this venue at the end of 2020. However, BTTS has occurred in six of the last eight meetings between these sides at this venue.

Considering both sides' recent form, another tight contest has to be anticipated, with Killie very much a tough nut to crack on their own patch and Rangers potentially fatigued from their exploits on Sunday. However, given their weekend victory, we expect Rangers higher morale and greater squad quality to see them edge over the line with a 2:1 scoreline, our expected outcome.