SWPL title race: Can Hibs best Rangers for shock title win?

Posted by Thomas Duncan | 9 hours ago | Sport | Views: 8


Hibs have beaten Rangers twice already in the league this season, while the third meeting was a draw.

However, Rangers steamrolled Hibs in the second half of the Sky Sports Cup final in March, winning 5-0.

The obvious difference that day was the game was played at Fir Park, on a big grass pitch, whereas the league meetings were all on artificial surfaces, as nearly every game is in the SWPL.

Rangers have decided to play this final game at Ibrox, to try to use their own fans but also the wide Ibrox surface to their advantage.

Both Potter and Scott have said it will allow Rangers to stretch the game more and get their considerable attacking weapons into the game.

That has been their strength this season, having scored an astonishing 139 goals in 31 games – by far the most in the league – as they have swatted aside the division’s inferior teams.

Katie Wilkinson has 39 alone in the league, as many as four SWPL sides as a whole.

So can Rangers use the pitch to maximise space for their potent forwards? It is not always as simple as that.

The last time they played at Ibrox, Potter says they “let themselves down” as they were beaten 1-0 by Glasgow City on 30 April.

Two seasons ago they were also beaten 1-0 by City when they had the chance to win the title on the final day at Ibrox.

Ultimately, it is about handling the pressure. Who can step up and deliver when everything is on the line?

Should Glasgow City defeat Hearts in their last game, whoever does not win the league between Rangers and Hibs will drop to third – and miss out on going into the Champions League qualifiers.

Rangers would at least have the consolation of a Scottish Cup final next week, but the league is the big target and their hopes of a first ever Treble are at stake.

It really is all or nothing. Tasty indeed.



BBC Sport

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