A local derby will see Partick Thistle take on Rangers at a sellout 10,000 capacity Firhill Stadium on Saturday. The hosts are placed 11th in the table and will be desperate to win the game that sees them get into the safe zone while a loss could see them dropping into the rock bottom if Dundee win their own game on the same day. Rangers are sitting third in the table after 13 games and the fans won’t be too happy with how their team has done so far.
Partick Thistle seems to be a cakewalk for Rangers on paper but Mark Warburton cannot let complacency get into his players. At home, Partick have not won a game in their last five matches. Rangers come into this match after a very underwhelming performance against Dundee where it took a last minute goal to win the game by a narrow 1-0 scoreline.
Rangers are already 11 points behind their rivals Celtic and need to pick up wins in order to keep any kind of pressure on the Hoops. Rangers’ away form will be concerning for Warburton. From 18 available points on the road, they have collected just eight, winning two in the process. The reverse fixture ended in a 2-0 win for Rangers and Warburton will be looking for a similar outcome.
Team news
Partick Thistle
Thistle have no fresh injuries for the derby clash with goalkeeper Tomas Cerny pushing for a return to action following a foot injury after making the bench in last weekend’s 2-0 defeat by Motherwell. Ryan Scully (shoulder), Mustapha Dumbuya (Achilles) and Stuart Bannigan (knee) are still out, while Gary Fraser continues to work his way back from a knee problem.
Rangers
Martyn Waghorn returns to the squad after recovering from a rib injury. Jordan Rossiter (calf) remains on the sidelines along with fellow midfielder Niko Kranjcar (knee).
Predicted lineups
Partick Thistle (3-5-2): Cerny; Barton, Devine, Lindsay; Elliot, Osman, Edwards, Welsh, Booth; Erskine, Azeez
Rangers (4-3-3): Foderingham; Tavernier, Kiernan, Hill, Wallace; Holt, Halliday, Windass; O’Halloran, Garner, Miller
Key players
Partick Thistle- Liam Lindsay
Lindsay has been impressive for Partick this season not exactly with his defending but on the other end of the pitch. An ever-present member of the squad, the 21-year-old has four goals in all competitions to his name and will be a big threat with his aerial ability from the set-piece situations.
Rangers- Andy Halliday
Andy Halliday has been excellent this season at the base of the three-man midfield with his all-round abilities in both attack and defence and will be Rangers’ key man against Partick Thistle.
Odds
Patrick Thistle win @19/5
Draw @56/19
Rangers @5/6
