Rangers vs St Johnstone: Follow the trends and back cup winners to keep a clean sheet

It’s another big game for Philip Clement’s Rangers following Sunday’s League Cup Final win at Hampden. Betfred tipster Frank Monkhouse explains why you should follow the trends…

Scottish Premiership contenders Rangers return to Ibrox on Wednesday when playing one of their two games in hand over pace-setters Celtic. Philippe Clement’s team were in Scottish League Cup action against Aberdeen at Hampden on Sunday but must recover and prepare for the visit of an improving St Johnstone.

The Saints are unbeaten in three and are climbing the table under the guidance of experienced ex-Scotland boss Craig Levein. The Perth side has collected seven of the last nine Premiership points available since losing 3-1 at home to Celtic earlier this month. Can the visitors continue by shocking their hosts?

Team News

There will be a special atmosphere at Ibrox on Wednesday evening following an incredible week for the club. Rangers beat Dundee 3-1 at this venue to close the gap on Celtic, setting the pace for a memorable few days. Clement’s team moved through the gears as they scored a stunning 3-2 win over Spanish La Liga side Real Betis to top their Europa League group then defeated Aberdeen at Hampden to win the League Cup.

Gers hadn’t won the League Cup in over a decade but were made to work hard by a dogged and determined Dons who proved difficult to break down and always dangerous on the break. Club captain James Tavernier scored the winning goal on 76 minutes, sparking jubilant scenes in the stands. It was another assured performance from goalkeeper Jack Butland while summer arrival Dujon Sterling was Man of the Match, despite playing out of position in the heart of midfield.

Saints arrive with confidence

St Johnstone was last seen in action beating Hibs 1-0 at McDiarmid Park on Saturday with that victory moving them up to eighth in the table. The visitors enjoyed an extra day of rest to prepare for this game and know there will be a few tired legs in the Gers camp following that huge effort at the national stadium. Can Levein’s team take advantage and score a rare win in Govan, bringing Rangers crashing back to earth?

Levein has turned things around at St Johnstone, dragging his new employers clear of relegation danger and into midtable. They opened December with a 3-1 home defeat to Celtic but bounced back, beating St Mirren by a 1-0 scoreline, ending 1-1 with Motherwell at Fir Park and, most recently, beating Hibs 1-0 at the weekend. Graham Carey scored the only goal in that game to gift Saints all three points.

Rangers vs St Johnstone Odds

The pre-match betting odds on this midweek Scottish Premiership game from Ibrox are available on the Betfred app and site, but there are no real surprises from the traders. Value-hunters must work hard to find a decent bet and it may be worth looking beyond the match-winner angle.

Rangers to make home advantage count and win to move within two points of Celtic with another game in hand is priced at 1/10. Fancy an upset for the rejuvenated Saints? An away win for St Johnstone is 14/1 or you can back the draw at 13/2.

Bet 1: Rangers win to nil @ 4/7

There’s little reason to back Rangers in the match-winner market, but we do expect Clement’s team to eat into Celtic’s lead with another crucial three points. Follow the trends and you’ll find the value. St Johnstone haven’t scored past Rangers in their last three attempts and that run will continue.

Rangers has won three of their four domestic games this month without conceding and we’re shooting for more of the same on Wednesday evening. Back Rangers to win to nil at 4/7 and that will work well in your midweek accumulators. The home defence seems settled now Clement has options at the back following a miserable run of injuries.

Bet 2: Rangers win 2-0 @ 9/2

We’re backing Rangers to win to nil, but have another interesting pick if you’re after larger odds. Again, we take our lead from the trends and advise backing Rangers to win 2-0 at a tempting 9/2. That would’ve been a winning bet in each of the last two games involving these sides, including a meeting in Perth earlier this season.

Rangers won 2-0 at McDiarmid Park in September thanks to goals from Danilo and Rabbi Matondo. They also scored a 2-0 when the Saints were last at Ibrox with James Tavernier and Glen Kamara scoring the goals that mattered that day. We’re backing more of the same.

Frank Monkhouse covers Scottish Football for us here at Betfred Insights. You can check out all of his work along with that of the rest of our Football Betting Tips desk on our main Football page...