Rangers vs Hibernian Prediction: Tricky Hibs can leave Rohl rocking
Hibernian are one of three sides inconsistent Rangers have managed to beat twice already this season, so they will be bidding for a hat-trick at Ibrox on Monday (7.45pm).
The Light Blues beat Hibs 2-0 in the League Cup in September and then won 1-0 at Easter Road in the Premiership a month later, the first triumph coming under Russell Martin, the second with Danny Rohl in charge.
Since that win on 29th October it has been the type of mixed bag for the Gers that their fans are getting used to, with modest improvements in the league going hand in hand with Europa League despair.
Hibs, meanwhile, have had a nice rest since their 3-0 win over Falkirk last weekend, which snapped a two-game losing streak and saw them edge to within two points of Rohl's men in the table.
That Rangers are 9/10 for a fixture where they would have been far shorter in seasons past shows how much the gap has narrowed this season.
Team news
Danny Rohl could be down to the thinnest options up front after Bojan Miovski limped out of Thursday night's 2-1 defeat at Ferencvaros in the Europa League.
The German may only have Youssef Chermiti and Danilo from his senior group to pick from in attack, while other absentees in a packed Gers treatment room include John Souttar, Nedim Bajrami, Joe Rothwell, Oliver Antman, Kieran Dowell and Rabbi Matondo.
For Hibs, winger Nicky Cadden is a doubt after missing the win over Falkirk with a calf strain while Jordan Obita is expected to have recovered after a hamstring worry.
Tip 1 - Hibernian Draw No Bet @ 7/4
Rangers returned to Scotland on Thursday night after another dismal night in the Europa League, beaten 2-1 by Robbie Keane's Ferencvaros in Hungary.
It was a display notable for more defensive lapses and a feeling at the final whistle that they were fortunate to simply lose by the odd goal.
There is no doubt that under Rohl there is an improvement on what went before, but the reality is this Rangers side is miles short of where they want to be and ought never be trusted at odds-on, especially against a team as competent as Hibernian.
David Gray's Hibs have lost twice to the Light Blues this season but both games were close.
They have won three times away - (which is once more than Rangers have at home) - in the league and last Saturday's 3-0 romp past a decent Falkirk side will have given them a timely lift.
Tip 2 - Under 9.5 Corners @ 13/10
Rangers will no doubt dominate possession and probably conjure up more shots and corners, but don't necessarily expect a glut of the latter.
In Rangers' last two home league games they have chalked up just two corners against Livingston and four against Falkirk. The match count in each was three and nine.
Hibs are a defensively astute bunch who concede under five corners a game away from home where five of their eight matches have produced nine corners or less.
Tip 3 - Over 4.5 Cards @ 11/10
There were five cards when these sides met in the League Cup earlier this season and the same again in the subsequent Premiership clash.
In both instances the team count was three for the Glasgow side, two for the Edinburgh one.
Given the tension at Ibrox and the size of the stakes - this is a huge game for the home side after the Ferencvaros flop - take the card count to rise.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
