Recommended bets

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Under 2.5 goals is 8/15.

Draw and under 2.5 goals is 13/5.

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Match preview

Hibernian v Rangers – Scottish Premiership – Easter Road

After both endured very disappointing campaigns, and then catastrophic starts to this season, it’s vitally important that both win this league opener.

The season before last, St Johnstone lifted both cup competitions and finished fifth in the table.

However, 12 months later, Callum Davidson’s side faced a two-legged play-off to ensure they’d remain a top-flight club.

Nevertheless, the Saints managed to overcome Inverness Caley Thistle in May’s final, drawing 2-2 in the Highlands before a rampant 4-0 victory back at home.

Hibernian meanwhile, having finished third in 2021, slumped to an eighth place finish last time round.

Both Jack Ross and Shaun Maloney were sacked during last season with Lee Johnson the new man at the helm in Leith.

However, to say he hasn’t made the ideal start would be an understatement.

Hibs were eliminated in this month’s League Cup group stages, following a defeat at Falkirk and a penalty shootout loss to Morton that was later forfeited anyway.

For last season’s runners-up to finish third in their group, a section won by a third-tier club, is pretty embarrassing.

St Johnstone meantime also failed to reach the second round, finishing below Annan and Queen of the South.

So, despite the fact the Premiership season hasn’t even started yet, both managers are under scrutiny.

Who will claim three precious points at McDiarmid Park?

St Johnstone team news

St Johnstone v Galatasaray – UEFA Europa Conference League – Third Qualifying Round – Second Leg – McDiarmid Park

Zander Clark, Shaun Rooney, Jamie McCart, Liam Craig and Callum Hendry have all left the club this summer.

Goalkeeper Remi Mathews and defender Alex Mitchell both joined on Wednesday, so could be in line for debuts here.

Andy Considine, Drey Wright, Ryan McGowan and Graham Carey are their other notable editions.

Hibernian team news

Hibernian v Cove Rangers – Scottish Cup – Fourth Round – Easter Road Hibernian’s Kevin Nisbet (centre) celebrates scoring their side’s first goal of the gameduring the Scottish Cup fourth round match at Easter Road, Edinburgh. Picture date: Thursday January 20, 2022. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images)

David Marshall meanwhile is Hibs’ new number one.

Aiden McGeady, Jair Tavares, Marijan Cabraja and Ewan Henderson have all also arrived in Edinburgh.

Rocky Bushiri’s League Cup appearance against Morton, when he was suspended, is what ultimately saw Hibs eliminated from the competition.

Christian Doidge will lead the line as Kevin Nisbet is still out due to a long-term cruciate ligament injury.