Level on points with leaders Celtic after the opening four matches of the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season, Hearts will head to the Ibrox Stadium for arguably their toughest assignment so far against Rangers on Saturday.
Rangers, on the other hand, are seeking a first league win of the campaign off the back of a shambolic start to proceedings, and we will be previewing this weekend's clash in this Rangers vs Hearts prediction article.
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Rangers vs Hearts prediction: Gers to kickstart season with three points
Key stats
- Following their goalless stalemate in the Old Firm derby last time out, Rangers are now winless in four straight matches while their 2-0 Scottish Cup win over Alloa represents their only victory in seven outings.
- The Light Blues have been breached first in five of those seven matches.
- While Hearts would have been pleased to return to winning ways in their 2-1 triumph over Livingston, they have now gone four straight matches without a clean sheet since managing five in a row between July 15 and August 4.
Correct score prediction: Rangers 2-1 Hearts
Rangers have been underwhelming so far and will know they cannot afford to lose any more ground on the teams above them so early on in the campaign.
We can see the Glasgow-based outfit doing enough to come away with maximum points when all is said and done here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Rangers fancied, but Hearts capable of springing upset
- HOME: 3/4 (1.75) – 57.1%
- DRAW: 3/1 (4.00) – 25%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Rangers played out arguably the most boring Old Firm stalemate ever in their 0-0 draw against Celtic, extending their wait for a first league win of the season.
However, with a win probability of 57.1%, Russell Martin's men have been heavily backed to emerge victorious this weekend.
Despite heading into this Saturday's clash five places and six points ahead of their opponents, Hearts have only been given a 23.8% chance of getting the job done.
Derek McInnes' men continued their bright start to the season by beating Livingston 2-1 thanks to Alexandros Kyziridis' 91st-minute winner.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: One-way traffic in hosts' favour
Rangers beat Hearts in both of last season's league encounters, but that barely encapsulates how dominant the home side have been in this fixture.
Avoiding defeat this weekend would see Rangers extend their unbeaten run to 22 matches across all competitions dating back to October 2021.
Scotland Premiership 16/02/25
Hearts
Rangers
Scotland Premiership 10/11/24
Rangers
Hearts
Scotland Premiership 03/08/24
Hearts
Rangers
Scotland Premiership 18/05/24
Hearts
Rangers
Scotland FA Cup 21/04/24
Rangers
Hearts
Rangers preview: Dujon Sterling misses out once again
Since suffering an Achilles tendon injury back in April, Dujon Sterling has been unavailable for Rangers, as he will be this weekend once again.
Connor Barron was hauled off with an injury scare in the final knockings of the Celtic game and could miss out for the hosts here.
Predicted lineup: Butland(GK), Aarons, Djiga, Souttar, Meghoma; Diomande, Rothwell, Raskin; Antman, Danilo & Gassama
Rangers' last five matches:
- Rangers 0-0 Celtic (Scottish Premiership)
- Club Brugge 6-0 Rangers (Champions League Qualifiers)
- St. Mirren 1-1 Rangers (Scottish Premiership)
- Rangers 1-3 Club Brugge (Champions League Qualifiers)
- Rangers 4-2 Alloa (Scottish League Cup)
Hearts preview: Zander Clark's free run between the sticks continues
With both Ryan Fulton (groin) and Craig Gordon (shoulder) missing through injury, Clark has been Hearts' undisputed starter in goal of late and should retain his place for Sunday's game.
Meanwhile, Christian Borchgrevink (thigh), Jamie McCart (leg) and Finlay Pollock (hamstring) are all unavailable
Predicted lineup: Clark (GK), Findlay, Halkett, Kent, Milne, Spittal, Devlin, McEntee, Forrest, Braga & Shankland
Hearts' last five matches:
- Livingston 1-2 Hearts (Scottish Premiership)
- Hearts 3-3 Motherwell (Scottish Premiership)
- St. Mirren 2-1 Hearts (pens) (Scottish League Cup)
- Dundee United 2-3 Hearts (Scottish Premiership)
- Hearts 2-0 Aberdeen (Scottish Premiership)
Player to watch – Claudio Braga
Albeit all on friendly duty, Braga netted in four of his first five matches for Hearts following his move from Aalesund.
The Portuguese failed to score in his first three competitive outings for his new employers but has since netted three times in the subsequent two matches.
Off the back of an ample resting period for the 25-year-old, having not featured during the international break, he will be aiming to come up trumps for his side once again.