Hearts vs Rangers predictions: Rangers ready to start in style
- Rangers have won five of their last six games against Hearts
- Hearts scored in their final 11 home games last season
- Recommended bet: Rangers to win and both teams to score
The new Premiership season begins in Scotland on Saturday and the curtain raiser sees a repeat of the final round of games from last term as Hearts and Rangers clash at Tynecastle.
The two sides played out an entertaining 3-3 draw when they last met in Edinburgh in May.
The home side led 1-0 at the break before Gers pulled clear in the second half, only for the Jambos to score twice late on to snatch a share of the spoils.
That was the Jambos’ last competitive fixture, while Rangers went on to take on city rivals Celtic in the Scottish Cup final but they fell short in their silverware challenge as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat.
Team news
Star striker Lawrence Shankland should start for Hearts despite being linked with the Gers.
Defender Stephen Kingsley has not featured in pre-season due to injury, but he has returned to training and should be available, while winger Yutaro Oda is also likely to be involved following a knock over the summer.
The visitors could be without Kieran Dowell and Dujon Sterling after they missed the friendly with Union Berlin last weekend.
It remains unclear as to whether James Tavernier and Cyriel Dessers will feature for the visitors amid speculation over their futures with the club, while new signings such as Vaclav Cerny, Hamza Igamane and Connor Barron will be hoping to make debuts.
The stats
Rangers have won eight of their last 10 games against Hearts and the Gers are unbeaten in 15 against the hosts.
Hearts have scored in 11 consecutive home games, while Rangers have conceded in four of their last five competitive away games.
Prediction
Rangers face a stern test in their season opener as they head to a Hearts side who finished in third place last term.
The Ibrox side will be looking to go one better this season after coming in behind Celtic last year and they have the tools to make a winning start in the capital, but a close game should be expected.
Hearts have struggled against Gers in recent years, but they gave them a real run for their money when the two sides met at this venue just a few months ago.
The Jambos took an early lead and led until the break before three second-half goals from Rangers looked to have settled matters, however, the Edinburgh outfit fought back to claim a point in the closing stages.
Rangers will be looking to hit the ground running and they can make sure they take maximum points back to Glasgow, but Hearts scored in all of their final 11 home games last year and they can at least get on the scoresheet on Saturday.
