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

Two teams at opposite ends of the SPL table will meet on Saturday when current table-toppers Rangers host Dundee, who managed to get themselves out of the relegation zone in midweek.

Each club heads into this fixture on the back of consecutive victories in the league, providing plenty of confidence to each squad.

Match preview

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Giovanni van Bronckhorst continued his undefeated start in the league on Wednesday when his side were able to defeat Hibernian by a goal to nil.

However, the league leaders had to leave things late to take all three points as it was not until an 85th-minute penalty from Kemar Roofe that they earned the win.

This followed on from the 3-1 victory against Livingston last weekend as the Gers have remained top of the SPL as they continue to fight to retain their title.

Rangers have a seven-point gap between themselves and Celtic right now, which is something they will be hoping to keep, especially since the Hoops have a game in hand on them.

Right now, no team in the league have scored more goals than the Gers, which makes them an immediate threat, especially since Dundee have conceded the most so far this season.

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However, the Dark Blues are in the best form of their season right now after securing consecutive victories for the first time in their previous two outings.

Despite their defensive problems as of late, Dundee have managed to keep two clean sheets in those games, having defeated Motherwell 3-0 and then St Johnstone 1-0.

The latter took place in midweek where James McPake's team were able to have 20 shots throughout the match, with Danny Mullen breaking the deadlock to get the three points.

This victory took the club out of the relegation zone as they now sit ninth in the table, but with only three points between them and Livingston, the squad will be well aware of the need for more points.

It was a closely-fought contest the last time Dundee faced Rangers, as they narrowly lost 1-0 after Joe Aribo found the back of the net, and with their current confidence, the Dark Blues will believe they can make things difficult again.

Team News

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Roofe made his return to the team from his injury in midweek while he appeared from the bench to score the only goal of the game and he will once again want to be involved at the weekend.

Ryan Jack remained out of the squad due to a lack of overall fitness, but after more training sessions he could be set to make his way back.

Lee Ashcroft was unavailable due to an injury, but because the Dark Blues secured another clean sheet in midweek, it is unlikely there will be many changes defensively.

Mullen has been keeping Leigh Griffiths out of the starting lineup recently and after finding the back of the net against St Johnstone, that will likely remain the case.

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Barisic, Bassey, Goldson, Tavernier; Davis, Kamara; Hagi, Aribo, Kent; Morelos

Dundee possible starting lineup:
Legzdins; Kerr, Fontaine, Sweeney, Marshall; McMullan, Anderson, Adam, McCowan, McGowan; Mulle

We say: Rangers 2-1 Dundee

Both teams are confident right now, which is likely going to lead to a close game between them on Saturday, but the qualities of the defending champions should see them through.

Rangers have a lot of attacking options at their disposal and that should be enough to continue their strong form as of late without another victory.

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