Preview: Rangers vs Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's pre-season friendly clash between Rangers and Middlesbrough, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rangers and Middlesbrough are set to meet on Saturday in a pre-season friendly clash as both teams continue their preparations for their respective 2025-26 league term.

The hosts have already started their competitive campaign with a 2-0 win over Panathinaikos, while the visitors are midway through their pre-season schedule. 

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Match preview

Rangers had to watch their arch rivals Celtic dominate the Scottish football landscape once again last season, beating the Gers in the Scottish League Cup final and finishing 17 points above them in the Scottish Premiership. 

The Gers will be hoping that the appointment of Russell Martin as the new manager, succeeding Philippe Clement and Barry Ferguson from last season, can help them close the gap on their Old Firm rivals in the 2025-26 campaign.

Martin remains unbeaten as Rangers boss after two matches in charge, having seen his side come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Club Brugge in a friendly before defeating Panathinaikos 2-0 in the first leg of their Champions League second qualifying round tie. 

Ahead of their second leg meeting with the Greek side, as well as their Scottish Premiership opener against Motherwell on August 2, Martin will be hoping for another victory and a further improved performance against Middlesbrough as his side continue to get to grips with his playing style.

Their opponents, Middlesbrough, head into the match having played only two of their five scheduled pre-season friendlies, and Rob Edwards will be aiming for a significantly improved showing from his team. 

Edwards was appointed in June after Michael Carrick’s dismissal, with Middlesbrough finishing 10th in the Championship and falling short of expectations by missing out on the playoffs.

The former Luton Town boss has failed to improve their form, however, as they have drawn one and lost one of their friendly fixtures, meaning they have now won just one of their last eight games. 

As Middlesbrough will be aiming to challenge for the playoffs in 2025-26, Edwards will be eager for his side to snap their current streak with better performances and results in their final three pre-season matches against Rangers, Hartlepool United and Deportivo La Coruna ahead of their Championship opener against Swansea City. 

Rangers form (all competitions):

Middlesbrough form (all competitions):

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Team News

Given Rangers are set to face Panathinaikos in their second leg meeting just four days after this match, Martin may decide to heavily rotate his starting team in this one to rest key players. 

That could give the likes of Djeidi Gassama, who scored on his Gers debut in that match, Jefte, Lyall Cameron and several others the opportunity to start on Saturday.

As for Middlesbrough, Riley McGree and Alex Bangura are both unlikely to feature after being forced off in their 2-0 defeat to Bradford City last time out due to injuries. 

That could give Delano Burgzorg and Neto Borges the chance to come into the starting team against the Gers, while other changes are expected as Edwards aims to assess the entire squad. 

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Tavernier, Djiga, Fernandez, Jefte; Cameron, Bajrami, Barron; Dowell, Igamane, Gassama

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Brynn; Ayling, Fry, Van den Berg, Borges; Hackney, Barlaser; Whittaker, Burgzorg, Silvera; Conway

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We say: Rangers 2-0 Middlesbrough

 

Rangers have shown encouraging signs under Martin, especially in their 2-0 victory, and given Middlesbrough's dismal recent form, we expect a comfortable home win here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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