Our prediction for this Scottish Premiership match:
Kilmarnock will be aiming to build on a 3-2 win over Dundee FC when they take on Rangers in the Premiership round 8. The Killie are eager to move closer to the Championship Group berth, but they will have a big fish to fry in Sunday’s encounter. A man to watch in the home team will be Matthew Kennedy, who scored a brace in the last league outing, while Kyle Magennis remains in the recovery room.
The Gers, on the other hand, are determined to melt Celtic’s advantage in the Premier League standings. As Rangers have defeated Kilmarnock in each of their last three meetings in the national championship, we are tempted to put our money on the visiting side. Last time out the Gers defeated the Killie 2-1 at Rugby Park and we predict that history is going to repeat itself. Bear in mind, though, that Ianis Hagi is banned for the visiting side.
Highlighted Player (Tom Lawrence):
Tom Lawrence is a Welsh footballer who plays as a winger for Championship side Derby County. Born in Wrexham (Wales) on January 13, 1994, Tom Lawrence played for Everton and Manchester United during his youth career.
The 180-cm-tall footballer, though, made no more than one appearances for the Red Devils in the Premier League as he was immediately sent on loan to Carlisle United. The Wales international played for the likes of Yeovil Town, Leicester City, Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City and Ipswich Town as well before signing a contract with Derby County. Tom Lawrence’s main position is left winger, but he is used as both second striker and right winger as well.
The Derby County man made his Wales debut in November 2015 in a 3-2 loss to Netherlands. The highlight of his career is the goal he scored against Georgia in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers. His preferred foot is right and he wears No. 10 jersey at Derby County.
Highlighted Team (Kilmarnock):
Founded on January 5, 1869, Kilmarnock are the oldest professional club in Scotland. The Killie welcome their opponents at Rugby Park, the stadium with the artificial turf. The venue, which was opened back in August 1899, can hold up to 17,889 people.
Kilmarnock won their first and only Scotland Premier League trophy in the 1964/65 season despite being level on points with Hearts at the end of the season. Fellow Ayrshire club Ayr United are considered the Killie’s bitterest rivals. The two teams have been facing each other in the Ayrshire derby since September 1910.
Dark blue is the dominant colour of the club’s home kit, while Kilmarnock footballers wear yellow and blues kit when playing on the travels. The Killie recorded their biggest win back in 1896, with the team beating Saltcoats Victoria 13-2 in the second round of the Scottish Qualifying Cup. The club suffered their biggest defeat in August 1938 as they were hammered by Celtic 9-1 in the Scottish League Division.