Motherwell v Rangers: How to watch, online details, form, SPFL match odds

Cedric Itten makes it 4-0 to Rangers during a Scottish Premiership match between Motherwell and Rangers at Fir Park Stadium on 27 September, in Motherwell, Scotland (Photo by Craig Williamson / SNS Group)

Rangers enjoy a 21-point advantage at the top of the SPFL Premiership, though second-placed Celtic have three games in hand at time of writing and could cut that deficit against Livingston on Saturday.

It will be a first managerial match at Fir Park for new boss Graham Alexander after he took the reigns from Stephen Robinson’s resignation.

Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game.

Match details

Who: Motherwell v Rangers

What: SPFL Scottish Premiership

Where: Fir Park, Motherwell

When: 12pm, Sunday, January 17, 2021

How to watch

Rangers are again live on Sky Sports with the broadcaster offering this game on both the Main Event (401) and Football (403) channels.

It will also be available via Sky Go app and Now TV subscriptions with the sports package.

Rangers TV subscribers in the UK will be offered live audio from Lanarkshire.

Form

Motherwell: DLLDDLLL (7th)

Rangers: WWWWWWLW (1st)

Without a win since Hallowe'en, Motherwell’s sorry run saw Stephen Robinson tender his rsignation and be replaced by Graham Alexander last week.

The new man in charge almost got off to a winning start, denied by a late and controversial penalty for St Mirren, awarded by Bobby Madden.

But the hosts sit in 10th, 47 points worse off than the visitors who are seeking a record-equalling 16th consecutive league win and to maintain their momentum at the top of the league.

Team news

Ryan Jack could be back in contention for Rangers after a return to full training, though the weekend’s game may be slightly too quick a return for the midfielder. Kemar Roofe won’t make it but will be back next week, while George Edmundson has had a small hernia operation so will be missing for four weeks. Scott Arfield is continuing to rehabilitate from his ankle injury.

Steven Davis is also poised for a 300th game for the club.

Motherwell hope to have Steven Lawless available following the midfielder’s move back to the club from Burton Albion, subject to international transfer clearance. The Steelmen will be without Jake Hastie though, as the loan midfielder is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Chris Long remains an injury doubt and Ricki Lamie is also unavailable for the home side who have not had their injury troubles to seek. Goalkeeper Liam Kelly, drafted in on loan to replace Trevor Carson, could also meet his former club.

Previous Meetings

Rangers fell behind to a defensive Motherwell line-up at Ibrox just before Christmas, but rallied to win 3-1. Their previous visit to Fir Park ended in a 5-1 win with a double for Cedric Itten which was marked for a notable performance by winger Jordan Jones.

Motherwell have not defeated Rangers since October 2017, and last took points from the Glasgow side in a 3-3 draw early in season 2018-19.

Bookmakers’ odds

Motherwell 10/1 (William Hill) Draw 9/2 (Skybet) Rangers 3/100 (betway)

First scorers: Jermain Defoe 11/ 4 (bet365), James Tavernier 11/2 (PaddyPower) Ianis Hagi 8/1 (Skybet, William Hill) Tony Watt 11/1 (betway)

Correct score: 1-1 Draw 9/1 (Various) 2-0 Rangers 11/ 2 (Skybet, bet365)