Rangers take on St Johnstone for the second time in a week on Saturday as Michael Beale's side look to apply some pressure onto Celtic who play on Sunday.
A superb first-half strike from Borna Barisic secured a 1-0 win for Rangers over St Johnstone last weekend in the Scottish Cup, sending the Light Blues through to the last 16 of the competition where they will take on Championship side Patrick Thistle. It was an even contest between the two sides, and Rangers will be looking to make it back-to-back wins against the Saints on Saturday.
The previous league meeting between the two sides handed Rangers one of their two league losses of the season, with St Johnstone winning 2-1. A win for Michael Beale’s side would send them six points behind Celtic in first, with the Hoops set to play on Sunday.
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So, could Rangers make it five wins on the bounce on Saturday? We used FIFA 23 to try and predict the score, and this is what happened.
Rangers vs St Johnstone score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the Rangers squad with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We expect that Rangers could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Lundstram, Jack; Fashion, Tillman, Kent; Morelos.
We predict that the Saints could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Matthews; Brown, Gordon, Considine, Montgomery; MacPherson, Hallberg, Phillips; Wright, May, McLennan.
Rangers started brilliantly at the Ibrox, with Ryan Kent causing all sorts of issues down the left in the opening stages and almost scoring when he hit the post from distance. Rangers attempted a few ambitious strikes early on, and they took the lead when Ryan Jack found the target.
Malik Tillman picked up the ball inside the box, but off balance, the midfielder ran away from goal as he tried to hold possession. Tillman charged into the path of Jack who stole the ball off his teammate, and with his second touch, he rifled a thunderous effort into the top corner at the near post.
The goal had been coming for the Gers, with Beale's side in total control. And, just nine minutes after Jack's opener, the Light Blues doubled their lead through an emphatic Alfredo Morelos strike.
Ryan Kent skipped past his marker on the left as he kickstarted a Rangers attack, and the winger found Morelos inside the box with a driven cross. The Colombian striker rolled the ball away from his marker as he pushed closer to goal, and as the 'keeper crept off his line to close down the angle, Morelos cheekily lobbed the ball over the 'keeper and into the far corner of the net.
It was a memorable strike from Morelos as he extended Rangers' lead, and he almost grabbed a second from the resulting kick-off as he pinched the ball off the Saints' midfield before trying to lob the 'keeper from 40 yards and skimming the crossbar. Rangers showed no signs of slowing down, and in the 45th minute, Tillman got on the scoresheet to send the Gers into the break with a three-goal advantage.
Tillman played a lovely one-two with Fashion Sakala through the centre of the box, sending the American one-on-one with the 'keeper. From extremely close range his first shot was saved by the foot of the 'keeper, but Tillman was quickest to react to the rebound as he tapped home on the second attempt.
Rangers sat off St Johnstone in the second half with a healthy lead, and neither side managed to trouble either goal in the remainder of the game as Beale's side emerged victorious.
FIFA 23 predicted score: Rangers 3-0 St Johnstone
FIFA 23 predicts that a stunning first-half display could hand Rangers an impressive win over St Johnstone on Saturday. Malik Tillman and Ryan Kent stole the show with some fantastic attacking exchanges, with the Gers hurting the Saints down the left side of the pitch in the simulation.
What do you think the score will be between Rangers and St Johnstone on Saturday? Let us know in the comments!
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