Rangers will head into their Scottish Premiership encounter with Hamilton Academical on Sunday hoping to claim their 25th league victory of the season and stay on course to win the earliest top-flight title in the past quarter of a century.

Meanwhile, the Accies are struggling at the wrong end of the table but were the last team to defeat Steven Gerrard's side back in March 2020.

Match preview

Rangers moved one step closer to their first top-flight title since 2011 as they secured a narrow 1-0 victory at home to St Johnstone on Wednesday.

Ianis Hagi's strike from the edge of the penalty area was enough to separate the two sides and keep Gerrard's men 23 points clear of rivals Celtic at the summit of the Scottish Premiership.

The Gers, who now need just six more victories to clinch the title, could be crowned as champions in the Old Firm derby on March 21 if both Glaswegian sides were to win all of their matches before their encounter at Celtic Park.

Rangers have an impressive record against Hamilton, having won all 11 of their top-flight visits to the Fountain of Youth Stadium in the 21st century, scoring a combined 33 goals in the process.

Gerrard's side have also won both of their encounters against the Accies this campaign, with an 8-0 demolition at Ibrox in November their most recent meeting.

Another three points for Rangers would move them onto 78 points from 28 matches played – only Celtic during the 2016-17 season have ever accumulated more points at this stage of a Scottish Premiership campaign.

Hamilton suffered a huge blow in their quest to avoid the drop as they lost 2-1 at home to relegation rivals Ross County on Wednesday.

The Accies took the lead when Staggies midfielder Stephen Kelly put the ball into his own net, but they were unable to hold on to their advantage as with less than 10 minutes left to play they conceded two goals in five minutes which turned the game on its head, handing Ross County three precious points.

Head coach Brian Rice was disappointed to throw away a lead so late in the game, and the Accies have now lost 29% of their matches from winning positions this season, the highest ratio of any side in the Scottish Premiership.

Rice's team, who remain at the foot of the table, four points behind the Staggies, have now lost eight matches on home soil, more than any other team in the division.

Hamilton's next Scottish Premiership match is as hard as it gets as they face a Rangers side unbeaten in their last 28 top-flight matches, and the Accies have lost eight of their last nine meetings against them.

Causing a huge upset and claiming three points on Sunday would move Hamilton three points behind Motherwell, who they face next Saturday.

Hamilton Academical Scottish Premiership form: DWLDLL

Rangers Scottish Premiership form: WWDWWW

Team News

Hamilton's David Templeton (groin), Lewis Smith (hamstring) and Will Collar (knee) all remain out with injuries.

Striker David Moyo, who was dropped to the bench against Ross County, could be recalled to the starting lineup. However, he will be competing with Andrew Winter and Bruce Anderson for a spot alongside Marios Ogkmpoe in a two-man attack.

Rangers midfielder Scott Arfield remains out with an ankle injury but could be back in training within the next few weeks.

Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos is to serve the second of his three-match ban this weekend, which is likely to see Kemar Roofe or Jermain Defoe start up front.

Joe Aribo, who scored a brace in the last encounter with the Accies, could keep his place in midfield, while winger Hagi, who scored the winner against St Johnstone in midweek, may also start in attack.

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:
Fulton; Hodson, Hamilton, A. Martin, Easton, McMann; Odoffin, Stirling, Callachan; Moyo, Ogkmpoe

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic; Kamara, Davies, Aribo; Hagi, Roofe, Kent

We say: Hamilton Academical 0-4 Rangers

Hamilton know how difficult Sunday's clash with the Gers will be but need to pick up points quickly if they are to stay in touch with the sides above them in the table. There is no sign of this rampant Rangers outfit slowing down at the moment, though, and we expect another comfortable victory this weekend.

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