Despite making it to the League Cup final, coupled with an encouraging European run, Rangers are far from impressive in the Premiership with nine points adrift of league leaders Celtic and Aberdeen. The club season will resume this weekend after yet another insipid international break and the Light Blues must secure all three points in their own backyard against Dundee United.
The Tangerines have impressed early into the campaign as they sit fourth in the Premiership standings. While the Light Blues remain firm favourites to clinch a victory, a setback on Saturday afternoon would further widen the gap with bitter rivals Celtic. They grabbed an edgy 1-0 win in the reverse tie at Tannadice Park thanks to an early strike from Tom Lawrence. But the Welshman is expected to miss the Ibrox contest with a fresh injury blow sustained before the break.
Predicted 4-2-3-1 Rangers Lineup To Face Dundee United
Defence
Jack Butland, the Gers ‘number 1’, should aim for another clean sheet after a comfortable home outing against Hearts in the previous gameweek.
Netherlands youth international Neraysho Kasanwirjo pushed himself into Philippe Clement’s starting XI in recent games but might face a spell on the sidelines following a serious-looking knee injury against England U21s. Skipper James Tavernier should keep his place down the right, also, John Souttar must continue in deep defence after playing his part in Scotland’s remarkable victories against Poland and Croatia. Veteran Leon Balogun might get the nod over Robin Propper to partner with the Scotsman in the heart of the backline. Ridvan Yilmaz could be back in the matchday squad, but the gaffer should stick with Jefte on the left considering the Brazilian’s flair, finesse and relentless runs.
Midfield
Connor Barron, still waiting for his senior Scotland debut, was an unused substitute in both the fixtures. But he must be charged up for the Tangerines tie being a mainstay of Clement’s midfield set-up. Dujon Sterling and Kieran Dowell have mostly featured from the bench as they might lose the first-team spot to Nicolas Raskin once again.
Mohamed Diomande has been shifted to a ‘number 10’ role in the wake of Lawrence’s injury absence. The Ivorian could be preferred over out-of-favour Ianis Hagi even though the Romanian showed glimpses of his quality for Tricolorii. Ross McCausland remains a fitness doubt after being pulled out of Northern Ireland’s Nation League squad. Oscar Cortes and Rabbi Matondo are still recovering from their long injury layoffs, but the Belgian boss should be relieved to have Vaclav Cerny and Nedim Bajrami down the flanks as the dynamic duo returned unscathed from Czechia and Albania duties respectively.
Attack
Cyriel Dessers is back among goals as he fired in three consecutive games across competitions. The Nigerian must spearhead the attack ahead of Danilo and Hamza Igamane.
