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Scottish Premiership Playoffs | Final
May 31, 2015 at 3pm UK
 
RL

3-0

Johnson (52'), Ainsworth (70'), Sutton (93' pen.)
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Motherwell vs. Rangers

:Headline: Preview: Motherwell vs. Rangers: ID:225377: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews the second leg of the Scottish Premiership playoff final between Motherwell and Rangers.

Motherwell are 90 minutes away from retaining their place in the top flight after opening up a 3-1 advantage over Rangers in the first leg of the Scottish Premiership playoff final.

Goals from Lee Erwin, Stephen McManus and Lionel Ainsworth have put their side in full control, but Rangers have shown in the past that they are capable of producing their best form in adversity and won't consider themselves out of the tie until the full-time whistle.



Motherwell

After losing 15 of their 19 away games in the Scottish Premiership this season, Motherwell may have been feeling pessimistic ahead of their trip to Ibrox, but against the odds, they were able to produce their best performance of the season.

The 3-1 victory isn't a tie-winning scoreline just yet, but the Steelmen have put themselves in the driving seat for the match at Fir Park, where they boast a solid record over the course of the season.

Seven wins and five draws have been recorded since August, but more recently, Ian Baraclough's men have put together a seven-match unbeaten run with their last defeat coming back in February.

With the stakes so high, Baraclough won't be worried about complacency but he will stress the need for a fast start on Sunday afternoon to prevent Rangers sensing a comeback.

Motherwell will have to cope with the pressure that wasn't present in Glasgow, but with Rangers having struggled for goals in recent games, they will be aware that one goal may prove enough to put the tie out of their opponents' reach.

Recent form: LDWLDW



Rangers

After fighting past Queen of the South and Hibernian, Rangers would have been confident of another positive result heading into the first leg on Thursday night.

However, the occasion quickly turned into a nightmare for the club after they fell 3-0 down after 47 minutes, and although they managed to reduce the deficit, they have it all to do on Sunday afternoon.

The result is a huge blow for the club who are hoping to return to the top flight after a three-year absence, but they face the prospect of another 12 months away from renewing their rivalry with Celtic.

Manager Stuart McCall has done a solid job since his arrival at Ibrox, but such is the importance of promotion, his fate could rest on the result of the second leg.

Having scored just six goals in five playoff games, Rangers face a tough ask to win by two goals, but they will undoubtedly fight until the end to try to overcome opposition who hold all of the momentum heading into the contest.

Recent form: DWDWLL



Team News

Barring any late injury issues, Baraclough has little reason to change a team that imposed themselves so impressively in the first 90 minutes of the tie.

As for Rangers, McCall could make a number of changes after the disappointment of seeing his team capitulate in front of their own supporters.

Striker Kris Boyd could be preferred in attack, but a record of just one goal in 19 appearances could count against him.

On-loan midfielder Shane Ferguson is another potential inclusion if the Gers boss decides to mix things up on the flank.

Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Long, Hammell, McManus, Ainsworth, Lasley, Law, Erwin, Johnson, Laing, Pearson, McDonald

Rangers possible starting lineup:
Bell; Foster, McGregor, Zaliukas, Wallace; Vuckic, Murdoch, Shiels, Law, Miller, Clark



Head To Head

Rangers hold the upper hand in the head-to-head record, with 183 wins being registered in 263 matches between the two clubs.

Motherwell have prevailed on just 37 occasions, while Thursday's contest was the first time that the teams had faced each other since a Scottish League Cup tie in 2012, which Rangers won by a 2-0 scoreline.


We say: Motherwell 1-1 Rangers

Both teams will have to find the right balance between defence and attack during the opening stages at Fir Park, but with Motherwell having a wide cushion, they are well placed to capitalise on gaps in the Rangers defence and if they can net in the first 45 minutes, they should have enough to see out the tie.



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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718
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