Aside from the form the two sides are in, there's another good reason why we won't win tomorrow. Saints boss Gus MacPherson will almost certainly go with one up front, a tactic I can't ever remember producing a win. In fairness, it's supposed to produce a clean sheet and therefore a point against the Old Firm and I've no problems with it being used at their grounds. However, using it at home shows a lack of ambition and has often resulted in the sort of hammering the tactic was deployed to prevent. If we do go with one up front, it'll be Billy Mehmet leading the line. The big striker has scored seven goals already this season - four in the league. The rest of the team has managed just four between them and one in the SPL. God knows what we'll do if Mehmet gets injured.
To add to the woes about poor form is what could almost be classed as a defensive crisis. Will Haining and Jack Ross are both doubts while David Barron is still injured and Franco Miranda is suspended. We could therefore be left with the inexperienced pair of Marc McAusland and Scott Cuthbert starting at the back, with one of them having to fill in at right back, while Ryan McCay or Tonet could play left back. It's hardly ideal in the best of situations and could be asking for trouble against Rangers. Elsewhere in the side, Hugh Murray or Stephen McGinn could come in if we go with one up front, or Tom Brighton could be handed a rare start on the left of midfield.
Rangers have yet to lose in domestic competition this season, although did provide us all with an amusing laugh when they were knocked out of Europe in the qualifiers for the Champions League - an interesting way to avoid last year's fixture congestion problems! However, after the outcry and uproar that and the sale of Carlos Cuellar caused, things have improved. Kenny Miller - who once rattled five past us - seems to be in good form while former Saint Kirk Broadfoot has gone from strength to strength after being criticised last year. It would not be a surprise to see the big defender - now in the Scotland squad - on the scoresheet tomorrow, although it's more likely to see striker Kris Boyd on it if he's handed a start. The former Killie man almost guarantees goals and is a player I'd always find a place for in my side.
I'd like to predict a draw or even a Saints win for this game, but I just can't see it. Chances are Rangers will win quite comfortably.