Dundee United vs Rangers predictions and betting tips – Scottish Premiership returns

Rangers finished third in the Scottish Premiership last season, behind both Celtic and Heart of Midlothian. That was an unacceptable outcome for the most successful club in Premiership history, and one they are not looking to repeat this term.

Can Derek McInnes’ men get off to a winning start on Friday night, or will Dundee United spring a surprise?

• Rangers to score in both halves – 11/10 with BoyleSports
• Rangers to win the second half – 5/6 with SBK
• Lawrence Shankland to score any time – 8/11 with bet365

Dundee United vs Rangers head to head overview

• Date: Friday 31st July.
• Kick-off: 8pm.
• Venue: Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland.
• Where to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.
• Referee: Nick Walsh.
• VAR: Yes.
• Last meeting: 4th April 2026; Rangers 4-2 Dundee United.
• Last 10 matches: Dundee United – 0 wins; Rangers – 7 wins; Draws – 3.
• Favourite to win: Rangers.

Dundee United vs Rangers predicted lineups

• Dundee United expected lineup: Pas; Henrique, Blind, Baumann, Goei; Godts; Johnson, Klaassen, Berghuis, Glukh; Ouazane.
• Rangers expected lineup: Butland; Rommens, Fernandez, Souttar, Jiga; Diomande, Barron; Moore, Osgor, Gassama; Shankland.

Dundee United vs Rangers predictions

The 2025/26 season is not one that Rangers fans want to remember for any longer than necessary.

It is not only that Rangers failed to win the Scottish Premiership title, but also that they finished outside the top two for the first time since 2017/18, when they were still recovering from liquidation and relegation to the fourth tier.

On top of that, Rangers failed to win either of the domestic cups and exited the Europa League in the league phase. They ended the season empty-handed for the second year in a row.

Rangers started the campaign slowly under Russell Martin, who did not last long, and they finished it poorly under Danny Rohl. The middle portion was not too bad, but that was inconsequential in the end.

A new era begins on Friday. Fresh from leading Heart of Midlothian to the brink of the title last term, Derek McInnes was snapped up by Rangers in June.

He has brought Lawrence Shankland, the Premiership’s joint second-highest scorer in 2025/26, with him to Ibrox, while Rangers have also signed Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey, Ivor Pandur, Dan Neil, Cammy Devlin and Vanja Dragojevic. 

The goal, as always, is to win the league, but Rangers have only done that once since 2011. Celtic are once again the favourites heading into the new season.

Dundee United will be targeting a sixth-place finish. They missed out last term, coming seventh – or top of the bottom half.

Jim Goodwin’s team will be competitive once more, and he has already spoken of his desire for Dundee United to “lay down a marker” against Rangers on opening night.

Dundee United vs Rangers betting tips

Dundee United and Rangers will kick off the 2026/27 Scottish Premiership season on Friday.

First glimpse of McInnes’ side

Despite the disappointment and frustration of last season, Rangers fans are excited again.

That does not necessarily mean they all expect the Gers to win the title, but there is belief that they will at least push Celtic harder than they did last time out.

Dundee United can be a tough nut to crack, although there were one or two grumbles about Jim Goodwin’s style of play last season.

Rangers’ attackers should nevertheless have some joy at Tannadice Park on the final day of July.

Tip Rangers to score in both halves at 11/10 with BoyleSports

Rangers to come on strong

It goes without saying that Derek McInnes would love to see his Rangers team get out of the blocks quickly on Friday night.

But while we do expect Rangers to find the back of the net before the interval, we might only see them in full flow in the second half.

Rangers are a stronger side than Dundee United, whose hopes of hanging with McInnes’ men will diminish the longer the game goes on.

Rangers are likely to take the match away from Dundee United after the break.

Back Rangers to win the second half at 5/6 with SBK

Shankland is a proven scorer

Lawrence Shankland is a proven goalscorer in Scottish football. 

He struck 16 times for Hearts last season, almost firing them to what would have been a historic title triumph.

Shankland is the sort of centre-forward who needs good service from his team-mates, but he should get that at Rangers.

The former Hearts man can kick off his spell with Rangers by scoring against Dundee United as Derek McInnes’ team target a victorious start to the new season.

Go for Lawrence Shankland to score any time at 8/11 with bet365

Dundee United vs Rangers latest odds

Find the latest Dundee United vs Rangers betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

More Scottish Premiership predictions

We have plenty more Scottish Premiership predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Dundee United and Rangers for betting

Rangers have not won any of their last three fixtures on the opening weekend of a Scottish Premiership season. Dundee United’s last victory over Rangers came in August 2021. Both teams have scored in the last six games between Dundee United and Rangers.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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