Motherwell vs. Rangers Tips and Odds – 02/08/2025

• Fixture: Motherwell vs Rangers
• Date: Saturday, 2 August 2025
• Venue: Fir Park, Motherwell

Match Preview

The 2025/26 Scottish Premiership roars into action with a mouthwatering clash between Motherwell and Rangers at Fir Park. Both teams enter this season opener buoyed by strong pre-season performances, fresh faces, and ambitions that will set the early tone for their respective campaigns. For Motherwell, this marks an opportunity to build on a positive start in the Premier Sports Cup and to reprise their competitive showings against the Glasgow giants, while Rangers hope to lay down an early marker under new manager Russell Martin.

Motherwell’s summer has been full of optimism. After topping their Premier Sports Cup group and earning a morale-boosting draw against German side Hertha BSC, the Steelmen look well-prepared. Tawanda Maswanhise has hit a rich vein of goalscoring form—netting four goals in four cup appearances—while Apostolos Stamatelopoulos has chipped in with two goals from his last two games. Manager Jens Berthel Askou will hope this attacking momentum carries into the Premiership curtain-raiser, especially after last season’s feisty encounters against Rangers, including a dramatic 2-2 draw at Fir Park in December where Motherwell were controversially denied a late winner by VAR.

Rangers, meanwhile, start the new era under the guidance of Russell Martin following a summer of sweeping changes at the club. With new owners, a fresh coaching staff, and eight summer signings, the team looks revamped and eager for success on both domestic and European fronts..The likes of Djeidi Gassama, brought in from Sheffield Wednesday, and emerging academy talent Findlay Curtis, who has scored in back-to-back games, are expected to play key roles.

Both teams have had positive summers with new or in-form attackers making headlines, but also have question marks. Motherwell are in high spirits and relatively injury-free, while Rangers face the challenge of integrating their new signings and managing early-season fitness. For both, there are no major suspensions currently reported, but team sheets on matchday could offer final surprises.

Given the last five meetings, this fixture rarely disappoints. Both sides have scored in four of those contests, and Rangers’ last defeat to Motherwell came not long ago, indicating the Steelmen can raise their game on home turf. Expect a high-tempo contest with plenty of goalmouth drama—the pressure is on both sets of attackers to deliver in front of a raucous Fir Park crowd.

Key Players to Watch

• Motherwell:
  • Tawanda Maswanhise — in red-hot scoring form, the Zimbabwean forward could be the Steelmen’s main threat.
  • Apostolos Stamatelopoulos — another lively option, he will look to stretch the Rangers backline.
• Rangers:
  • Djeidi Gassama — new signing expected to inject pace and directness.
  • Findlay Curtis — exciting academy prospect already amongst the goals.
  • Jack Butland — the experienced goalkeeper remains key in keeping Rangers steady at the back.

Prediction

This promises to be a compelling, end-to-end match. Motherwell’s sharpness in front of goal and home advantage could make life difficult for Rangers, but the visitors’ strength in depth and recent European experience might tilt it their way. Expect a close encounter, with Rangers’ attacking talent just about shading it in a 2-1 away victory.

Betting Markets

Odds subject to change. Please bet responsibly.

Get ready for fireworks at Fir Park as the Scottish Premiership returns—with drama guaranteed from the opening whistle!