As the Scottish Premiership title race heats up, all eyes turn to Almondvale Stadium this Sunday afternoon where Rangers face off against Livingston in a clash loaded with implications at both ends of the table. The stakes could hardly be higher: Rangers, sitting second with 55 points from 27 matches, desperately need a win to keep the pressure on league leaders Hearts, who are five points ahead but have played one game more. Livingston, meanwhile, languish at the foot of the table with just 12 points from the same number of games and are fighting to avoid relegation.
This fixture finds Rangers in scintillating form, having netted an impressive 18 goals in their last five matches. Their most recent outing—a 4-2 triumph over Hearts—saw Youssef Chermiti bag a remarkable hat-trick, slashing the gap at the top to just two points before Hearts restored their lead with a narrow win over Falkirk on Saturday. It’s a run of form that has fans buzzing and rivals sweating.
But it’s not just about the title chase. Livingston’s season has been a tale of struggle and resilience. The Lions haven’t tasted league victory in 26 matches, a winless streak stretching back to August 9, 2025, when they bested Falkirk 3-1. They now sit eight points adrift at the bottom, with survival hopes fading but not extinguished. Recent performances, including a gutsy late draw at Celtic Park and a comeback to snatch a 2-2 result at Dundee, offer glimmers of hope. New manager Marvin Bartley, who stepped up after David Martindale moved to a sporting director role, will be desperate to inspire a turnaround.
History, though, is not on Livingston’s side. Rangers have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning 21 of the last 23 meetings in all competitions since Livingston’s 1-0 victory back in September 2018. The Gers have also triumphed in 10 of their last 11 visits to Almondvale, including seven straight league wins since a goalless draw in August 2020. Livingston’s home woes are well documented: they’re winless in their last 12 home league games, the longest such run since Hamilton’s in 2016.
Rangers’ transformation under head coach Danny Rohl has been nothing short of remarkable. After a sluggish start—just one win in their opening eight league games—they have surged, winning 14 of 19 league fixtures under Rohl, drawing four and losing just once. Since Rohl’s first Premiership match in charge on October 26, 2025, Rangers have amassed 46 points, at least nine more than any other side in the division, and 11 more than Hearts over the same span. “After every result we will think, ‘ah, maybe it could be this team, it could be this team’. I’m totally convinced that it’s now about consistency,” Rohl told reporters. “Who takes the most points until the split, I think this is also a part of it. You have to prepare for the final five games with the next six games. If you do well [before the split], then you have a great opportunity.”
Despite their momentum, Rangers arrive in West Lothian with a few headaches. Injuries have forced Rohl’s hand, with Dujon Sterling ruled out and Ryan Naderi doubtful. Max Aarons, Connor Barron, Derek Cornelius, and Bailey Rice remain sidelined. Rohl admitted, “We have to change some players. Not that I want to, I have to. We have small injuries but I cannot go into too much detail today.” The predicted Rangers lineup features Butland in goal, with Tavernier deputizing at right-back, Souttar—fresh from signing a new contract—alongside Fernandez and Rommens in defense. The midfield trio of Raskin, Chukwuani, and Diomande is expected, with Skov Olsen and Moore out wide, and Chermiti leading the line after his heroics against Hearts.
Livingston, for their part, are hoping for a spark from new signings Barrie McKay and Joel Nouble, who could make their debuts. Babacar Fati may return from a thigh injury, but the Lions are still without Samson Lawal, Josh Zimmerman, Scott Arfield, Connor McLennan, and Aidan Denholm. Bartley, aware of the challenge, said, “All I can say is I’ll be delighted if we’re on level pegging with Rangers after regulation time has ended on Sunday. I’ll take my chances after that.”
Both previous meetings this season have been tightly contested, with Rangers edging each by a 2-1 margin. The last time the sides met in West Lothian, Max Aarons was the hero, netting a 94th-minute winner in dramatic fashion. With so much at stake, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another nail-biter unfold.
The tactical battle will be fascinating. Rangers’ attack has been firing on all cylinders, with 18 goals in the last four matches and Chermiti in red-hot form. Jack Butland has impressed between the sticks, making crucial saves in recent games. For Livingston, defensive discipline and opportunism on the break will be key. The Lions have shown they can frustrate bigger teams—just ask Celtic, who needed injury time to snatch a win in their last meeting.
Rangers’ record against bottom-placed teams is another ominous sign for the hosts. The Light Blues have won each of their last 11 league games against sides starting the day at the foot of the table since a 1-1 draw with Hamilton in February 2021. But football, as ever, is full of surprises. Livingston’s recent resilience, combined with the possible injection of new faces, means they can’t be written off.
For those eager to catch the action, the match kicks off at 3pm BST and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage beginning at 2:30pm. Fans can also stream the game via Sky Go or purchase a day pass on NOW TV. Highlights will be available on BBC Scotland’s Sportscene later in the evening.
Referee Ryan Lee will take charge of proceedings, assisted by Douglas Ross and Ross Nelson, with David Dickinson on VAR duty. The odds, unsurprisingly, favor Rangers, but in a season where both ends of the table are in flux, anything can happen.
With Rangers chasing Hearts and Livingston battling for survival, Sunday’s clash promises high drama and plenty of talking points. As the teams prepare to walk out at Almondvale, the tension is palpable—will Rangers keep the pressure on in the title race, or can Livingston finally end their winless run and spark a great escape? The answers will start to unfold once the whistle blows.