Rangers vs Annan Prediction & Betting Tips (16 January)

Rangers step into this Scottish Cup tie carrying strong momentum and a steady flow of recent headlines that have kept them in the spotlight. Over the past two months, one of the biggest stories has been the injury blow to Connor Barron, who is expected to be sidelined until March after suffering a knee issue late in the 2‑0 win over AberdeenFootball Insider. The club has also been active in the January window, securing the signing of Tochi Chukwuani from Sturm Graz, a move that has drawn attention due to his rapid rise and intriguing career backgroundYahoo Sports Canada. With the fixture against Annan selected for live TV coverage and scheduled for January 16 at Ibrox, the buildup has been steady and full of expectationRangers Football Club.

On the pitch, Rangers have pieced together an impressive run of results, showing consistency across league fixtures. Their last five matches include a 2‑0 win over Aberdeen, a 3‑1 victory away to Celtic, and home wins over St Mirren and Motherwell, all of which underline their growing rhythm and confidenceSky Sports. Danny Röhl’s side has tightened defensively while finding reliable attacking patterns, highlighted by Thelo Aasgaard’s decisive contributions, including his composed opener at Pittodrie earlier this monthOneFootball. With Hearts still setting the pace in the Premiership, Rangers have been under pressure to keep winning, and they have responded with maturity and control.

Annan Athletic arrive as clear underdogs but not without their own recent form to reference. Their last outings include a 2‑2 draw with Stranraer, a 3‑1 win away at East Kilbride, and another 3‑1 victory over Forfar, showing they can score goals and compete well within League TwoSky Sports. They also progressed in the Scottish Cup with a convincing 4‑0 win over Buckie in late November, a result that helped set up this fourth‑round meeting. While the gap in resources and squad depth between the sides is significant, Annan have shown resilience and a willingness to play positively, traits that could help them settle into the occasion even in a challenging environment like Ibrox.

Given the contrasting levels, recent performances, and the sharpness Rangers have displayed across the past month, this matchup leans heavily toward the home side asserting control early and maintaining it throughout. Rangers’ attacking fluency, combined with Annan’s tendency to concede against higher‑tempo sides, shapes a clear expectation for how the evening may unfold. With all factors considered, the most realistic outcome appears to be a comfortable Rangers win, and the predicted correct score for this Scottish Cup tie is 3‑0.