Motherwell vs Rangers Prediction 02.08.2025
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Motherwell vs Rangers Prediction
Motherwell vs Rangers Prediction and Betting Tips for the opening round of the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership, set for Saturday, August 2. The match kicks off at Fir Park with both sides riding unbeaten runs in competitive games this summer. In this piece, you’ll find our top analysis and Premiership Predictions from the team at XpertStats.
- Motherwell unbeaten in last 8 matches, including League Cup and pre-season
- Rangers coming off a 3-1 aggregate win vs Panathinaikos in the UCL qualifiers
- Both clubs begin new eras under recently appointed managers
- Gers have scored 2+ goals in each of their last 7 meetings with Motherwell
Motherwell are hoping for a smoother campaign this time after the chaos of last season, which saw two managerial exits and an underwhelming eighth-place finish. New boss Jens Berthel Askou has already made a positive impression, leading the Steelmen through an unbeaten League Cup group stage and a draw with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin. That’s eight games without defeat heading into Saturday. Not bad at all. But can Askou’s side hold their nerve against a team that’s had their number for years?
The stats are brutal: just one win in their last 16 home games against Rangers. Even so, there’s a buzz at Fir Park. Tawanda Maswanhise has been electric in attack, with four goals in three League Cup starts, and Austrian pair Fadinger and Just are bedding in well. But goals may still be an issue. Last season, Motherwell were second-worst in xG across the Premiership. That’s a problem when you’re up against a side that loves to dominate the ball.
Rangers are entering another rebuild phase, yes, again. Russell Martin has taken the reins after a bumpy ride last season under Clement and Ferguson. And while his Southampton stint raised some eyebrows, there are signs things might click. The Gers kept 75% possession at Ibrox in the first leg against Panathinaikos and managed a mature 1-1 draw away to seal a Champions League progression. Not flashy, but effective. That’s a shift in tone, and maybe a glimpse of what’s to come.
In attack, they’ve got firepower. Djeidi Gassama is settling in quickly, scoring in both UCL legs, while young Findlay Curtis might just be the wildcard here. The midfield’s looking more balanced too, with Rothwell, Diomande, and Raskin forming a promising trio. Sure, away form has been iffy, five without a win on the road, but Rangers haven’t lost at Fir Park in nine years. That kind of history tends to count for something. It’s hard to bet against them starting with a win, even if it’s not pretty.
For more analysis, check out our latest Premiership Predictions throughout the season.
Rangers come into this one unbeaten in their last six competitive matches and have a dominant head-to-head record at Fir Park, winning 12 of their last 16 away games there. Even with new managers on both benches, the difference in squad depth is stark. Russell Martin’s men looked composed in their UCL tie with Panathinaikos, especially in the 2-0 home leg where they controlled 75% possession. Motherwell, meanwhile, haven’t beaten Rangers at home since 2015 and were second-worst in expected goals last season. While the Steelmen are unbeaten in eight, the level of opposition has been lower. Unless Gassama’s form suddenly dips or Rangers are unusually sloppy, an away win feels like the logical outcome here.
These two teams love goals when they meet. The last five head-to-head clashes have all featured over 2.5 goals, and both sides have netted in three of those. Rangers themselves have scored at least two in seven straight meetings with Motherwell. With Djeidi Gassama in red-hot form and Findlay Curtis emerging as another weapon, the Gers are likely to trouble the scoreboard. On the flip side, Motherwell have bagged two goals in their last two meetings with Rangers. Add to that their current scoring streak in the League Cup, and it’s tough to see this one staying low-scoring. Over 1.5 goals feels like a safe bet.
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