SCOTTISH CUP BETTING PICK - HIBERNIAN V RANGERS

Scottish Cup

2008-02-03 - Hibernian vs Rangers

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

HIBERNIAN v GLASGOW RANGERS
Scottish FA Cup - 5TH Round
Kickoff 12:00 GMT

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HIBERNIAN

Hibernian sit in 8th place in the Scottish Premier League and this competition represents their only real chance of making a claim for a place in Europe next season. They have an overall record of 7-7-8 with 29 goals scored and 29 conceded.

But like many sides in the top division in Scotland, Hibernian are much harder to beat on their own turf. At home, Hibs have a 4-4-2 record with 20 goals scored and 15 conceded and have scored the most goals at home outside of the Old Firm along with Hearts. They beat Inverness 3-0 at home in the last round.

Hibernian only have 1 win from their last 10 games in all competitions, the aforementioned Cup game in the last round. League form has been disappointing with 4 straight defeats but only 1 of these occured at home. They have not won in 5 league games at home but have drawn 3 of those games. Hibs have beaten Celtic at home this season already but did lose to Rangers here recently.

Guillaume Beuzelin looks likely to miss out this game and Abderaouf Zarabi is not expected to make his debut here. Colin Nish is cup tied but Lewis Stevenson is available for selection.

GLASGOW RANGERS

Rangers top the Scottish Premier Division by 4 points from local rivals Celtic and have accumulated a 17-2-3 record for the season with 52 goals scored and 17 conceded. They have a 6-2-2 away record with 18 goals scored and 12 conceded which makes them the tightest away defence in the division. Rangers destroyed East Stirling 6-0 in the previous round.

Rangers have won 9 of their previous 10 games in all competitions as they bid for the domestic treble. On Wednesday night they managed to beat Hibs' local rivals Hearts in the Scottish League Cup to reach their first final of the season.

Rangers have been playing very well with 5 clean sheets from their previous 6 games. Rangers have won 6 of their last 7 games away from Ibrox against Scottish opposition. Rangers have also won 6 and lost only 1 game against teams from the bottom half of the Premier League in games away from Ibrox.

Steven Whittaker and Charlie Adam will have late fitness tests for knocks from Wednesday night. Christian Dailly, Neil Alexander and Steve Davis are all in line to make starts after recently signing for the club.

HEAD TO HEAD

Hibernian and Rangers have met twice this season with each winning on the others home ground. Last season Rangers played here 3 times and had 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss.

Rangers have won 3 of their last 6 games played at Hibernian and there has only been 1 draw between the sides in 16 meetings overall.

Hibernian actually beat Rangers 0-3 at Ibrox in this competition 2 seasons ago.

PREDICTION :

Rangers have played much more football than Hibernian recently and have been on much better form but will find this a tricky away tie.

Hibernian have not been playing well but are still very tough to beat at home and so I feel this match might actually be heading for only a 2nd draw in 17 games.

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

DRAW