Rangers vs Newcastle United predictions for this friendly pre-season game which will take place at at Ibrox on Tuesday night. Both teams are still unbeaten in preseason. Read on for all our free betting tips and predictions.
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Match Live Tuesday, 18h July at 7:45 pm In:
Rangers vs Newcastle United Predictions
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Heading to Ibrox: An Unyielding Pre-season Clash
Key Stats
– Newcastle United demonstrated comeback capability with a 3-2 victory over Gateshead.
– James Tavernier, Rangers’ proficient penalty-taker, is likely to be a key player in this fixture.
In an intriguing pre-season encounter, Rangers and Newcastle United will collide at Ibrox this Tuesday. The friendly match also doubles as a testimonial for seasoned goalkeeper Allan McGregor, amplifying the sentimental quotient of this clash.
Honoring a Legend
Reverberating with full capacity, the historic Ibrox stadium will stand witness to the testimonial celebration of 41-year-old veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor, the first such match since John Brown’s testimonial 21 years ago.
The Rangers’ Stride
After ending the 2022-23 Scottish Premiership season on a strong note, with four wins and a draw from their final five games, Rangers have shown promising form, having drawn with Livingston and defeated Hallescher in their summer exhibition games. The victories were secured through Abdallah Sima’s impressive strike and the reliable penalty-taking of James Tavernier.
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As Michael Beale, who took over managerial duties from ex-Netherlands defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst in November, gears up for his first full season in charge, he is fully aware of the challenges ahead. In spite of a commendable 92-point haul in the Scottish Premiership last season, Rangers were outperformed by Celtic’s 99-point feat. The last season was a tough one for the Rangers, who failed to secure any trophies, falling short in the League Cup final and the Scottish Cup semi-finals.
Despite a packed schedule, with forthcoming fixtures against Hamburger SV, Olympiacos, and Hoffenheim, the Rangers will undoubtedly keep their focus on preparing for their Scottish Premiership opening match against Kilmarnock on August 5th.
The Magpies’ Challenge
Meanwhile, Newcastle United heads to Glasgow following a 3-2 comeback victory over Gateshead, marking their first win of the pre-season. The match saw Newcastle trailing 2-0 at half-time before Elliot Anderson, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Jay Turner-Cooke orchestrated a thrilling recovery, ensuring the win for Eddie Howe’s team.
Newcastle’s manager, Howe, readily acknowledged that his team exhibited signs of early pre-season rustiness. Nonetheless, with increasing match practise and forthcoming high-profile encounters as part of the Premier League Summer Series and against European heavyweights Fiorentina and Villarreal, the team is set to up its game.
Past Encounters and Recent Transfers
Historically, the competitive meetings between Rangers and Newcastle are scarce, limited to the 1969 Fairs Cup. Newcastle emerged victorious in those semi-finals before clinching the final. However, a friendly in 2010 saw the Rangers triumph with a 2-1 scoreline.
In terms of player movements, the Rangers have witnessed significant changes. The departures of Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent, Antonio Colak, Filip Helander, and Scott Arfield have been offset by the arrivals of Cyriel Dessers, Sam Lammers, Jack Butland, Dujon Sterling, and Kieran Dowell. Newcastle have also seen their share of injuries and player transitions with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali recently returning to training.
Match Predictions
Match Outcome Prediction: Draw
For the first prediction, considering the fact that both Rangers and Newcastle United have shown a solid pre-season form, a draw seems a plausible outcome. While the Rangers enjoy the advantage of their home ground and an anticipated supportive crowd, Newcastle United have also exhibited the ability to make comebacks, as was evident in their previous match against Gateshead, with their form likely to increase as we move deeper into their preparation.
Even though the Rangers have registered one draw and one win in their pre-season fixtures, the team’s significant transitions – including a new coach and several key players leaving and joining the team – are likely to make them vulnerable. In contrast, Newcastle United, despite having injury woes, have managed to keep their core squad intact. Their ability to respond to challenging situations, evidenced by their 3-2 comeback victory, is a testament to their fighting spirit. Hence, a draw seems like a logical prediction with justified odds and an outcome that would be well accepted by both managers.
Correct Score Prediction: 1-1
For the correct score prediction, it’s fair to anticipate a 1-1 scoreline based on the respective teams’ performance and capabilities. Rangers, despite their off-season transitions, have maintained a decent scoring rate in their pre-season games, courtesy of players like Abdallah Sima and James Tavernier.
Similarly, Newcastle United, which have several players capable of finding the back of the net, such as Elliot Anderson and Allan Saint-Maximin, have also demonstrated a decent scoring ability. However, both teams have shown weaknesses defensively. Newcastle United, with key defenders out due to injuries, might struggle to keep a clean sheet also considering their form is not yet where it should be. Thus, a 1-1 scoreline seems a reasonable prediction, as it reflects both teams’ attacking capabilities and defensive vulnerabilities.
Goalscorer Prediction: James Tavernier
For the goalscorer prediction, the odds appear in favour of James Tavernier, the Rangers’ proven goal scorer. Tavernier was instrumental in the Rangers’ attacking prowess during the last season, contributing 16 goals, and has already marked his presence in pre-season games with a goal against Livingston.
Tavernier’s proficiency in penalties also increases his chances of scoring. Despite the transition phase the Rangers are undergoing, Tavernier’s consistent performances make him a likely candidate to find the back of the net. Moreover, considering the defensive injuries of Newcastle United, Tavernier, with his goal-scoring abilities, stands a good chance of being on the scoresheet.
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