Rangers vs Hearts Prediction: Back Goals in Glasgow on Sunday

Rangers welcome Hearts to Ibrox on Sunday in a game you can follow live on Premier Sports from 5:00pm. All the pressure is on the home team as they aim to recover from a nightmare start to the season and rescue a title bid that’s fading fast following two defeats in their last three league starts.

Hearts arrive in Govan stuck in the relegation zone, but the Jambos won last time out and know another victory would prove they're headed in the right direction under manager Neil Critchley. Keep reading as Betfred’s Scottish football writer, Frank Monkhouse, previews.

Football Odds

Rangers face their second game of the week and third in seven days following a semi-final win over Motherwell at Hampden and a 1-1 at Olympiakos in the Europa League. The Gers kick off round 11 of their Premiership challenge with stats of six wins, one draw, and three defeats, scoring 15 goals and conceding eight. 

A closer look at those numbers shows Rangers have scored fewer goals than Dundee in midtable and the same number as St Johnstone, who are third from bottom. The attack must improve and fast.

Hearts travel from the Scottish capital with nine points on the board following a poor start to the season. Their form already cost former manager Steven Naismith his job, with the Scotsman replaced by former QPR and Blackpool boss Critchley. 

The Jambos have won two, drawn three, and lost seven so far, scoring 14 goals but conceding 19. However, they did beat St Johnstone 2-1 in Perth last weekend.

Rangers vs Hearts Odds

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Rangers are the home team and enter the weekend eight places higher in the Premiership than their opponents with ten more points on the board.

The Gers have been far from convincing recently, losing to Kilmarnock and Rugby Park and Aberdeen at Pittodrie, but they’re a better team in Govan. Betfred traders expect a home win and offer Rangers as 2/5 favourites on the Betfred website and mobile app.

Hearts held Rangers to a 0-0 draw at Tynecastle on the opening day of the season but have taken just eight of the 33 points available since. The Jambos also lost 2-1 and 5-0 at this venue last term.

Backing the draw would’ve landed you a profit in each of the previous two games involving these teams, and a third is 18/5. That’s likely to be more popular than a rare victory for Hearts at the 7/1 currently available.

Both teams to score @ 4/5

Despite these teams fighting out a goalless finish back in early August, I expect goals in Govan on Sunday and suggest backing both teams to score. That approach would have earned you a profit in half of the six meetings last season, including a 2-1 home win at this venue and a 3-1 away win at Tynecastle.

I also expect a few tired legs in both camps following their midweek exploits. Rangers were in Greece for Europa League action, while Hearts enjoyed home advantage over Heidenheim in the Conference League. That should show on Sunday, and the team that’s fitter will take the points.

Add both to score to your weekend accumulators.

Both score and Rangers win @ 9/5

With a tense game expected at Ibrox, I’m sticking with my first bet on both teams to score and add victory for Rangers to help boost the odds.

The locals have some important players returning from injury, and the home support will help them dig deep into the second half. There are goals in this Rangers team, and I expect them to get chances, but you can’t rely on the defence at present.

A bet on both teams to score and Rangers to win would’ve been profitable last weekend when the Gers fought back to beat Motherwell 2-1 in the League Cup semi-final at Hampden.

It was also the right approach in a win over St Mirren when last playing at this venue. Both score and Rangers win appeals at 9/5, and that’s good enough to back as a single.

Let’s hope this game lives up to expectations.

Offers

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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...