After an excellent win against Real Betis on Thursday night, Rangers fans will be hoping that form can carry over into domestic action against Motherwell. The last hour of the match on Thursday evening was dominated by the Ibrox club. That’s the way they have to play domestically also. Get on the front foot front the start, create chances and score goals.
Fans aren’t asking for much. They just want to see a Rangers side that’s willing to attack and go at the opposition. Especially at home this should always be the case.
Is the handbrake finally of? Was Thursday the beginning of the style Beale has described so often? Sunday is a huge fixture as Rangers need to go on a winning streak domestically. Particularly to get fans back on Michael Beale’s side.
I predict the manager will stick with the 4231 adopted on Thursday but some players will be rotated. Let’s look at my predicted line up.
GOALKEEPER
GK – Jack Butland – Another couple of excellent saves on Thursday secured the win and clean sheet. He’s been superb since coming in and fans have taken to him very quickly.
DEFENCE
RB – James Tavernier – There’s a small chance Dujon Sterling comes in but as of recent times, if Tav is fit, he plays. I expect that to stay the same come Sunday.
CBs – Connor Goldson & Ben Davies – Now 19 games unbeaten as a partnership with 18 wins and 1 draw. I don’t expect rotation here for Sunday but I wouldn’t be surprised if John Souttar came in next midweek.
LB – Ridvan Yilmaz – I expect to see weekly rotation in the left back spot. With Ridvan playing the majority of domestic games. The Turkish left back really needs to work on his crossing as that is what sets Barisic apart from him currently.
If he wants to make the spot his own and get back into the European squad (if we make it beyond Christmas) he needs to work on his final ball.
MIDFIELD
CDM – John Lundstram – A few stray passes aside, the big man was excellent against Betis. John Lundstram loves Thursday nights! He was everywhere and was key to driving the team forward. He struck up what looked like a decent partnership with Cifuentes which I’m very interested to see develop.
CDM – José Cifuentes – The same as Lundstram pretty much, he was loose on the ball a couple of times but really grew into the game on Thursday. The Ecuadorian has great vision but just needs to work on the weight of his pass.
He also picks up great defensive positions and had 12 recoveries against Betis. He needs the game time to get used to the system and demands of being a Rangers player. Cifuentes has the potential to be great. Just needs to work on a couple of things going forward.
CAM – Sam Lammers – Technically, the big man has it. He’s shown flashes of brilliance he just needs to be consistent with it. He impressed coming on for Lawrence and always looks to get involved.
Having started the last two matches it seems a good time to give the Welshman a rest. Lammers also needs the minutes so it works for everyone.
FORWARDS
RW – Abdallah Sima – Another who needs to work on his final ball. That being said, his pace and power are a constant threat. Rangers have looked much more dangerous with pace in the wide areas.
If Sima doesn’t start I could see Scott Wright actually getting some minutes, although that may come on Wednesday.
ST – Cyriel Dessers – Roofe has been excellent but has also played a lot of football in a short spell. Resting the Jamaican seems like the sensible option. Dessers has a lot to prove to Rangers fans after the fee that was paid for him. Can tomorrow start his turnaround?
LW – Rabbi Matondo – The more minutes for Matondo the better. It’s clear to see that he’s growing in confidence. However, the composure still isn’t fully there. He’s scored two great goals already this season but should have made it three against Betis.
He’s a constant threat in behind and now has the confidence to run at defences. He had an incredible run against on Thursday that he just didn’t make the correct decision in the end.
He only turned 23 this month so there’s time for that composure to grow yet.
CONCLUSION
Motherwell are in good form and currently sit above us in the table. That being said, if Rangers play anywhere near the level of the last 60 minutes on Thursday, they’ll blow Motherwell away.
If Dessers and Lammers do come in, it’s a huge chance to them to stake a claim for a permanent spot in the first 11. Hopefully they both can take it and give the manager a positive selection headache going forward.
How do you think Rangers will line-up tomorrow? Can you see many chances being made? What’s your score prediction?
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ICYMI you can read our thoughts on the performance against Real Betis here.