The final match on a jam-packed Boxing Day in the Scottish Premiership will come from the SMISA Stadium in Paisley, where St Mirren will be playing host to Rangers.
The hosts will enter this fixture in sixth place in the league standings, with 24 points after 18 games, while the visitors moved up to second last week, now on 35 points after 16 matches.
Match preview
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St Mirren moved five points clear of the bottom half of the table last week with a last-gasp winner over Ross County thanks to an Oisin Smyth strike in the final minute of regulation time.
Late goals have become something of a theme in matches involving the Saints in recent times, as they also bagged in last-minute winner against St. Johnstone a week earlier and conceded in stoppage time in their two preceding matches against Dundee United and Motherwell.
Nevertheless, those victories have taken the Buddies to seven wins in 18 games this season, and another three points here would mark the first time they have won three league matches in a row since August 2022.
However, based on their record in this fixture, it will certainly not be an easy task for the hosts, who have failed to beat this opponent in their last 14 encounters across all competitions, 13 of which ended in defeat.
Stephen Robinson's side have taken 14 points from a possible 27 at the SMISA Stadium this season, but they have failed to score in three of their last five at this venue ahead of this one.
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Meanwhile, this match marks the start of a gruelling run of fixtures for Rangers, who will have to play a total of 11 matches in the next 36 days both domestically and in Europe.
The Gers bounced back from their League Cup disappointment against Old Firm rivals Celtic with a crucial 1-0 victory over Dundee last weekend, which saw them leapfrog a stumbling Aberdeen into second place in the table for the first time this season.
That result took Philippe Clement's side to four league wins in a row and six matches unbeaten (W5 D1 L0), while they have not conceded in the top flight in over 400 minutes dating back to their 1-1 draw against Dundee United last month.
The visitors have also won their last two away league games without conceding, but their record on the road this term has been well below expectation, with only 10 points earned from seven matches to date (W3 D1 L3).
Still, the Gers have dominated this fixture over the years, and while Clement is likely to make a few changes to manage workloads, they are still firm favourites to leave with all three points in the bag.
Team News
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The hosts will have to make do without the services of Scott Tanser, who was sent off in Dingwall last week, while Alex Gogic could make the starting lineup after coming off the bench against Ross County following his suspension.
Mark O'Hara suffered a thigh injury as he missed a stoppage-time penalty in the victory over St Johnstone, and Robinson confirmed last week that the skipper is likely to be sidelined for upto two months.
Jack Butland pulled out of the match against Dundee last week at the last minute due to the birth of his child, but Clement has confirmed that the shot-stopper will be available for the trip to Paisley.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo (knee) and Thomas Lawrence (hamstring) are both ruled out until January with injuries, while Rabbi Matondo has resumed training following a spell on the sidelines and could be part of the matchday squad this week.
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Balcombe; Iacovitti, Fraser, Gogic; Bwomono, Phillips, Smyth, Taylor; Kiltie, Mandron, Idowu
Rangers possible starting lineup:
Butland; Tavernier, Sterling, Propper, Jefte; Raskin, Diomande; Cerny, Hagi, Pereira; Igamane
We say: St Mirren X-Y Rangers
While Rangers have not been at their best on the road this season, they have not lost to this opponent in 14 consecutive matches across all competitions, and we feel they will be able to extend that record with another victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
