Rangers must block out their Viaplay cup final defeat as they return to Scottish Premiership action against Kilmarnock on Saturday.
Despite Alfredo Morelos' second-half strike, Rangers fell to a 2-1 defeat against Celtic at Hampden last week in a disappointing outcome with the first domestic piece of silverware up for grabs. The defeat was Michael Beale's first as Rangers boss since his appointment in December last year, putting an end to a 14-game unbeaten run.
But, attention must turn back to the Scottish Premiership this weekend, where the Gers take on Kilmarnock and attempt to close a nine-point gap between themselves and Celtic at the top of the league. The two sides have already met twice this season, with Rangers winning both.
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So, who will emerge victorious on Saturday? We simulated the game to try and find out.
Rangers vs Kilmarnock simulated
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the Rangers squad with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that the Gers could set up in a 4-2-1-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Lundstram, Raskin; Tillman; Cantwell, Morelos, Kent.
We predict that the visitors could set up in a 3-5-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Walker; Wright, Taylor, Mayo; Armstrong, Polworth, Power, McKenzie, Chambers; Doidge, Robinson.
Rangers were dominant in the first half at the Ibrox, with the Light Blues' front three causing all sorts of problems for the opposition. Todd Cantwell and Ryan Kent were a handful on either wing, and the duo combined to help the Gers take the lead.
A switch of play saw Kent pick up the ball on the left, and after cutting inside and driving forward, the winger sprayed a pass into the path of Cantwell on the right. Cantwell duped his marker before sliding a cross into Morelos, and on the half-volley, the striker hit the ball through the legs of the 'keeper.
Just before the break, Rangers doubled their lead through Malik Taillman, with the midfielder receiving a help in-hand from the 'keeper who parried a simple save into the net. With a dominant lead, Rangers switched off at the back to allow Christian Doige to pull a goal back after the restart, but Beale's side were quick to double their lead once again as they regained control.
A one-two with Tillman saw John Lundstram surge forward with the ball, and the midfielder did fantastically to skip past a defender and break into the box. Lundstram pulled the ball back for Morelos who was unmarked, and from close range, the striker volleyed into the net to confirm the three points.
FIFA 23 predicted score: Rangers 3-1 Kilmarnock
Here are the full-time stats:
FIFA 23 predicts that Rangers could produce the perfect response to their cup final defeat, beating Kilmarnock 3-1 in the simulation. The Light Blues' attacking threat proved too much for the visitors to handle, with Morelos grabbing a brace in an impressive performance.
What do you think the score will be on Saturday? Let us know in the comments!
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