Preview: Rangers vs. Hibernian - prediction, team news, lineups

Ibrox Stadium will play host to the two top teams in the Scottish Premiership this Sunday, as Rangers welcome Hibernian in one of the biggest games of the season.

Steven Gerrard's squad head into the game after suffering a midweek loss in the Europa League, while the Hibees are undefeated in the league.

Match preview

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Rangers shall be aiming to maintain their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership this Sunday as they continue to try and retain their title, but they will face their biggest test yet.

The Gers have not been defeated in the league since the second game of the season when they were beaten by Dundee United, picking up five victories since that point.

The defending champions have been dominant at the start of the campaign, and their most recent SPL fixture saw Gerrard's men win 1-0 against Dundee thanks to a goal from Joe Aribo.

However, on Thursday night they were not so impressive as they suffered a second defeat in the Europa League which saw them sink to the bottom of Group A.

The 1-0 loss against Sparta Prague is a game that the Gers would like to forget, especially since they did not finish it with 11 men after Glen Kamara was sent off.

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Hibernian would welcome a similar performance from their opponents this Sunday as they look to maintain their undefeated start to this season.

Only Hearts can match them in not losing a game in the Scottish Premiership in the first seven games and that is why they sit just a point behind the league leaders.

The Hibees got back to winning ways at the weekend after consecutive draws in the division, as they dispatched St Johnstone with a penalty from Martin Boyle being enough to separate them.

This was the third clean sheet that the squad have kept in their last four league matches, which is an impressive record that they will wish to continue against Rangers.

The game will also act as a preview for the Scottish League Cup semi-final where the two teams will meet again as they look to add silverware to their respective trophy cabinets.

Team News

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Hibernian are missing several first-team names at the moment as Christian Doidge, Jamie Murphy, Melker Hallberg and Sean Mackie have all been sidelined as of late.

After scoring his 10th goal of the season last weekend, Boyle will be the main attacking threat for the Hibees as he looks to continue linking up with Kevin Nisbet.

Rangers are also dealing with several injury problems as Filip Helander, Ryan Jack and Ryan Kent are all unavailable for the club, which has forced Gerrard into some changes as of late.

The Gers are also missing Nnamdi Ofoborh as precautions are being taken with him due to a potential heart problem, with the club taking the necessary steps to make sure he is medically cleared to play.

Despite not playing against Dundee, Scott Arfield was available on Thursday night, but he was an unused substitute in the defeat to Sparta Prague.

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Balogun, Bassey, Barisic; Kamara, Bacuna, Davis; Aribo, Roofe, Morelos

Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Macey; McGinn, Porteous, Hanlon, Doig; Newell, Magennis; Cadden, Allan, Boyle; Nisbet

We say: Rangers 0-0 Hibernian

A game of this magnitude is always going to be closely contested due to how confident both teams are, but neither will be wanting to give too much away.

Aberdeen have been strong defensively as of late, and that will frustrate Rangers and their open attacking football, but the Gers also know how to be resilient, which could lead to a goalless encounter.