Rangers vs Stirling Predictions

• Rangers are unbeaten in their last ten matches
• Stirling have won two of their last 12 matches
• 36 league places separate these two sides

Fans returning may increase Rangers intensity 

The limit on attendances has now been lifted in Scotland and a sizeable Ibrox crowd may drive the home side onto a wide margin win. This is expected to be a walk in the park for the SPL champions and fans returning may help to increase the intensity of the home sides play.

It’s been over a month since The Gers fans last saw their side play in the flesh at Ibrox and they will be expecting their fine home record this season to continue in grand style. Rangers have won their last five games at Ibrox without conceding a goal and are currently on a ten-game unbeaten run.

Lowly Stirling in for a long night

Stirling Albion, who play in the bottom tier of Scottish footballs league system, are on dreadful run of late and look set to be in for a long evening on Friday. They have won two of their last 12 matches and have failed to score in six of those games. There are 36 league places between these two teams and the home side are expected take full advantage of their significant class edge.

Reason to believe Rangers will field a strong side

With this being the first time Rangers have played in the Scottish FA Cup this season, it is hard to gage just how strong a team Giovanni Van Bronckhorst will field. Playing against a 4^th tier side, you’d expect Rangers to ring the changes. However, I think there is reason to believe that a fairly strong team will be selected, certainly a stronger one than you might expect against such lowly opposition.

There will no doubt be some changes from the team that drew with Aberdeen in midweek. The Aberdeen game came on the back of an almost four-week Christmas break and Rangers weren’t quite at it on Tuesday. This cup game may be used to get some of the regular starters back up to full speed.

I am expecting a wide margin victory on Friday and the safest of passages into the next round for the reigning SPL champions. My main selection will be in the handicap market and I will go for Rangers -3 goals. For my correct score prediction I will go for a 4-0 Rangers victory.