St Mirren v Rangers: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Rangers still have nine points to make up on arch-rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race, but they have pieced together a decent run and should comfortably get the better of St Mirren.

The Buddies have won their last two away games, but are regularly found wanting in Old Firm company and may not be able to lay a glove on their visitors.

St Mirren v Rangers betting tips and predictions

Rangers to win to nil - 5/4

St Mirren will believe they can force their way into the top half of the Scottish Premiership this season after victories at Ross County and St Johnstone took them into sixth spot, but they have a dreadful record against the Old Firm and Rangers head to Paisley in decent form themselves.

The Gers are still nine points behind Celtic despite finally getting into second spot after a 1-0 win over Dundee on Saturday, but they have posted four successive wins and it has been their league defending that has caught the eye.

Philippe Clement's side lost a League Cup final shootout to their arch-rivals after a 3-3 draw and also posted a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in the Europa League, but the stinginess at the back has been more evident in the league, where they have conceded just once in their last six outings.

Aberdeen, who were Celtic's nearest rivals before the weekend, suffered a 2-1 defeat at St Mirren last month, when they were sunk by a late Richard Taylor goal, but the Buddies have taken just one point from their last 20 meetings with Rangers.

The victory over the Dons has been one of only three league wins the Saints have mustered this term, but they have scored just two goals in their last seven home matches against the Old Firm, so expect the visitors to leave with three points and with their clean sheet intact.

Vaclav Cerny to score at any time - 21/10

Czech attacker Vaclav Cerny has been one of the success stories at Rangers this season and he can continue to have a big influence by scoring in Thursday's clash.

He took his seasonal tally to 10 goals with the winner against Dundee on Saturday and he looks set to play a significant role in Paisley, just as he did when the teams met in October's reverse fixture, with his 69th-minute strike enough to secure a 2-1 victory.

Cerny has had at least three efforts on goal in nine of his last 10 Scottish Premiership appearances and there looks a strong chance he will be able to make his mark again on Boxing Day.

Toyosi Olusanya to be booked - 12/5

Toyosi Olusanya was missing from St Mirren's midfield for Saturday's win at Ross County after eclipsing the bookings threshold, and it would not be a surprise if he fell foul of the officials once again on Thursday.

He had picked up his sixth league booking of the season in the previous win at St Johnstone and he also went into the book twice during the Buddies' unsuccessful Conference League qualification campaign.

The Londoner has committed 24 fouls in his last nine league appearances so there looks a strong chance that he can add to his caution tally when Rangers head to Paisley.

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St Mirren v Rangers odds

St Mirren - 7/1
Draw - 10/3
Rangers - 19/50

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.