Aberdeen v Rangers preview: Team news, head-to-head, where to watch, lineups, prediction

Philippe Clement is facing a make-or-break clash with Rangers to save his side’s Scottish Premiership aspirations against Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday (30 October).

The Belgian’s side recorded a scrappy 2-1 win against St Mirren on Sunday [27 October] and now have the perfect opportunity to get back on track in the SPFL and cut down the six-point gap to the unbeaten Aberdeen.

Preview

Rangers scraped past St Mirren by the skin of their teeth last weekend, but Clement will demand much more from his side in the face of another must-win clash.

The Gers were lucky referee Calum Scott waved away the visitors’ penalty appeal after Neraysho Kasanwirjo took out Toyosi Olusanya. The decision has kept their title hopes alive.

However, Jimmy Thelin has brought a new lease of life to the usual two-horse race of the SPFL, guiding his side to 14 wins and one draw in an incredible undefeated start to life in Pittodrie.

Clement was already under intense pressure heading into the win against St Mirren, and with his side currently third in a two-horse race, the Ibrox faithful will expect nothing less than three points in midweek.

The Light Blues have enjoyed a turnaround in fortunes as of late, picking up vital wins in both the league and Europa League, but the inconsistent form still warrants concern and the side will undoubtedly face problems against one of the most in-form teams in Scotland.

If there was ever a time for Clement to show a statement of intent to Celtic, it is now. A draw or a defeat at Pittodrie could all but end any hopes of title success this season.

Form Guide [Scottish Premiership]

Aberdeen: WDWWW

Rangers: WLWWW

Head-to-Head [all competitions]

Rangers 2-1 Aberdeen [6 February 2024]

Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen [17 December 2023]

Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers [26 November 2023]

Rangers 1-3 Aberdeen [30 September 2023]

Rangers 1-0 Aberdeen [7 May 2023]

Team News

After initial concerns John Souttar would be absent for the all-important clash, Clement has eased the supporter’s fears and confirmed he and Tom Lawrence will be available for selection at Pittodrie.

Rangers, of course, will be without the usual suspects as Ridvan Yilmaz, Danilo Pereira and Oscar Cortes continue to nurse long-term injuries.

However, Rabbi Matondo is nearing a first-team return and should be available after the November international break.

For Aberdeen, Thelin will be without Pape Habib Gueye and Dante Polvara, with the pair nursing long-term injuries.

Predicted lineups

Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, Mackenzie, Nilsen, Shinnie, Keskinen, Clarkson, McGrath, Ambrose

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Jefte, Raskin, Barron, Cerny, Lawrence, Bajrami, Dessers

Where to watch?

The match at Pittodrie kicks off at 8pm GMT on Wednesday, 30 October, and will be available live on Sky Sports, Sky Go app and the NOW TV app.

Prediction: Aberdeen 2-2 Rangers

The Gers have been far too inconsistent this season and the test at Pittodrie may be a step too far against a seemingly unstoppable Aberdeen side.

Clement can be pleased with the number of goals his side has scored as of late, and the trend will be expected to continue in this game, but the defence has proven unreliable against top-quality opposition.

Aberdeen will fancy themselves heading into this fixture given their current run of form. Rangers can go toe-to-toe with the joint league leaders but a draw is the most likely outcome in what will prove to be a fiercely contested match.

In other Rangers news, Michael Gannon has hit out after what was said about the Gers’ squad.

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