St Mirren host Rangers in the Scottish League Cup on Wednesday night, with both sides looking to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
The Saints moved off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership last weekend after a slender 1-0 victory against Motherwell, while the Gers secured another league triumph of their own to maintain their 13-point gap at the top of the table.
Match preview
Rangers were able to maintain their brilliant unbeaten run as James Tavernier's inspired performance helped them to edge past Dundee United with a 2-1 victory last Sunday.
Tavernier made his mark with two first-half free kicks, curling a sublime 35-yard strike into the top left-hand corner before delivering a cross towards Connor Goldson, who headed home on the stroke of half time.
The Rangers skipper has been directly involved in 30 goals in all competitions this term playing from right-back, scoring 17 goals and providing 13 assists.
Steven Gerrard's men now turn their focus back to the Scottish League Cup, where they will be hoping to reach the semi-finals for the fifth successive season.
Rangers cruised to a 4-0 win away at Scottish League One side Falkirk in the last round but will now face a top-flight side that have performed well in recent weeks and who will be keen to cause an upset.
The Gers could extend their run of nine domestic wins in row with victory against the Saints.
Like Rangers, St Mirren are also in good form, with last weekend's success extending their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions.
Jamie McGrath's 13th-minute strike was enough to clinch their third away win of the campaign and move them off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table.
The Saints have had plenty of success in the League Cup this campaign, winning all four of their Group G matches before an impressive 2-1 victory against Aberdeen in the last round.
Jim Goodwin's side have had a lot to smile about in recent weeks and will be hoping that another positive result on Wednesday will enable them to reach their first League Cup semi-final since the 2012-13 season, when they went on to win the competition.
St Mirren Scottish League Cup form: WWWWW
St Mirren form (all competitions): WWWWDW
Rangers Scottish League Cup form: W
Rangers form (all competitions): DWWWWW
Team News
Jim Goodwin could name the same starting lineup for the third successive match, with no injuries or suspensions heading into Wednesday's fixture.
Midfielder Jamie McGrath, who has scored three goals in his last three games, is likely to retain his place alongside Jake Doyle-Hayes and Ethan Erhahon.
Steven Gerrard may decide to rotate his Rangers squad as he did against Falkirk in the previous round.
Filip Helander, who has now recovered from coronavirus, could start in defence alongside either Connor Goldson or Leon Balogun.
South African midfielder Bongani Zungu, who has started only two matches this season, may be handed a place in the starting XI.
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Alnwick; Fraser, McCarthy, Shaughnessy, Tait; Connolly, McGrath, Doyle-Hayes, Erhahon, Durmus; Obika
Rangers possible starting lineup:
McLaughlin; Tavernier, Helander, Balogun, Bassey; Kamara, Zungu, Arfield; Barker, Defoe, Itten
We say: St Mirren 0-2 Rangers
St Mirren have enjoyed a successful League Cup campaign so far this season, but their match against Rangers could be the fixture that brings their time in the competition to an end. The Gers look an unstoppable force in Scotland, and they have enough strength and quality in their squad to overcome the Saints on Wednesday night.
