Dundee United v Rangers: Euro distraction for champions
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Preview and odds for Saturday’s Scottish Premiership match
Steven Gerrard’s Scottish Premiership title winners bid to make it two wins from two as we look at some potential Dundee United v Rangers betting tips.
The home side come into the game on the back of a 2-0 defeat away to Aberdeen last week, while Rangers opened with a routine 3-0 home win over Livingston.
Saturday’s clash at Tannadice is live on Sky Sports, with a 12.30pm kick-off.
Dundee United v Rangers match odds
Defending Scottish champions for the first time since 2011-12, Rangers got off to the ideal start at Ibrox with an easy win over Livingston and are 1/4 to win at Tannadice.
Ianis Hagi, Scott Wright and Kemar Roofe were all on the scoresheet for Gerrard’s men.
Victory was followed by a 2-1 loss away to Swedish champions Malmo in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier in midweek, when a last-gasp strike from Steven Davis reduced the deficit ahead of the return leg at Ibrox on Tuesday.
Rangers are looking to get into the Champions League through the qualifiers this season, but they know that winning the league will guarantee them group stage football next season.
United began with defeat at Aberdeen but had previously won four consecutive matches in the Scottish League Cup, while Rangers won one of their four pre-season friendlies, that success coming against Real Madrid.
Rangers are clear favourites but punters looking to oppose them after their European trip can back the hosts at 12/1 in Dundee United v Rangers betting tips.
Dundee United v Rangers head-to-head
The sides have met 56 times and Rangers have won 32 of those games, while 12 have ended all-square. The draw is available at 24/5.
The most recent meeting came in February when four different men got on the scoresheet for Rangers in a 4-1 victory at Ibrox.
They also won 2-1 at Tannadice in December and put another four past Dundee United in their first meeting at Ibrox last September.
Eight of the last nine meetings saw three or more goals scored and it is 8/13 that this occurs again on Saturday.
Dundee United v Rangers team news
Rangers are no doubt looking ahead to Tuesday’s second leg with Malmo in front of a full house at Ibrox.
Qualifying for the Champions League Group stages this season and next would bring in upwards of £60m in cash and help them keep stars such as Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Grant and Glen Kamara.
The latter, who is an integral part of the midfield, is close to signing a new contract, despite interest from several Premier League clubs. He missed the first clash with Malmo – and it showed.
Morelos looks the most likely to leave, but he is expected to return to the Rangers team after quarantining on his return from Colombia.
If he does not start, players like Roofe – who is 5/6 to score at any time against Dundee United – will have to produce in a pivotal period for the Glasgow outfit.
However, Ryan Jack is unavailable for selection due to a calf injury and midfielder Nnamdi Ofoborh is a doubt for the trip.
Dundee United, 3/1 to win or draw the game in the Double Chance market, will miss both Declan Glass and Mark Connolly due to injuries.
Dundee United v Rangers key battles
This will be more of a mental battle for the Gers, as Gerrard will want a fully-fit squad for Tuesday night.
Tangerines boss Tam Courts has not had the easiest of starts and will lean heavily on the experience of Lawrence Shankland and Charlie Mulgrew to help guide them through their growing pains.
Rangers based their title around a solid defence and little has changed in that regard. The visitors are 4/5 to win to nil in Dundee United v Rangers betting tips and are 1/3 to score two or more goals.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
