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Rangers logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 34
May 7, 2023 at 3pm UK
Ibrox Stadium
Aberdeen logo

Rangers
1 - 0
Aberdeen

Cantwell (64')
Cantwell (32')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Clarkson (32'), MacDonald (90')

Preview: Rangers vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Scottish Premiership clash between Rangers and Aberdeen, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Rangers and Aberdeen will renew acquaintances at Ibrox on Sunday afternoon, two weeks after the Dons beat Michael Beale's men at Pittodrie.

Thanks to that victory, the visitors head to Glasgow on a seven-game winning streak, while the Gers suffered a Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic last time out.


Match preview

Rangers' James Tavernier looks dejected after the match on April 30, 2023© Reuters

On the day when Celtic could be crowned champions of Scotland for a 53rd time, Rangers will be looking to put in a big performance on Sunday to take the gloss off their Old Firm rivals' achievements.

Of course, Celtic will almost certainly secure an 11th Premiership title in 12 years regardless of what Rangers do between now and the end of the season, but Michael Beale's side will be eager to finish the campaign on a positive note.

Trailing Celtic by 13 points in the Scottish Premiership table, the Gers have lost just four of their 33 league games this season, picking up 25 wins and four draws along the way.

Although Rangers lead third-placed Aberdeen by 26 points, they will be more concerned about the gulf between them and Celtic, who have suffered a solitary league defeat all season while racking up 103 goals.

Rangers head into Sunday's clash on the back of successive defeats, with the loss at Aberdeen preceding a Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Celtic, so Beale's boys will be desperate to return to winning ways this weekend.

Aberdeen interim manager Barry Robson reacts on February 18, 2023© Reuters

To say that Barry Robson has saved Aberdeen's season would be an understatement, as the 44-year-old has completely transformed the team's performances and results since taking over from Jim Goodwin back in January.

After taking the job on an interim basis following the sacking of Goodwin, Robson was appointed as the Dons' permanent manager earlier this month, having overseen eight victories in 10 league games.

All of a sudden, Aberdeen find themselves on a seven-match winning run, while Robson's men have kept six clean sheets since their last loss, helping the club open up a five-point lead over fourth-placed Hearts.

Aberdeen notched their seventh successive victory with a 2-0 triumph over Rangers a fortnight ago, despite seeing just 25% possession at Pittodrie, with Liam Scales and Bojan Miovski grabbing the goals for the hosts.

Following a run of nine defeats in 10 away league games, Aberdeen have now won each of their last three matches on the road, so they will fancy their chances of causing another upset against Rangers.

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:


Rangers form (all competitions):


Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:


Team News

Rangers' James Tavernier celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 8, 2023© Reuters

Rangers currently have a lengthy list of injury absentees, as Steven Davis, Filip Helander, Tom Lawrence, Kemar Roofe and Nnamdi Ofoborh have all been sidelined for large spells of the season.

The hosts are also expected to be without Ryan Jack and Antonio Colak this weekend, with the latter scoring 13 goals in 24 league appearances this term.

Malik Tillman and Alfredo Morelos are likely to join Fashion Sakala in attack, with Todd Cantwell operating behind the striker, while James Tavernier will continue to make a big impact from right-back.

Barry Robson may be tempted to stick with the same XI that started the famous victory over Rangers two weeks ago, meaning that Mattie Pollock, Angus MacDonald and Liam Scales will line up in defence.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Bojan Miovski and Duk will continue in attack, having both scored 18 goals across all competitions this season.

On the injury front, Aberdeen look set to be without forward Callum Roberts for the remainder of the campaign as the 26-year-old continues to recover from a muscle issue.

Rangers possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Tavernier, Souttar, Davies, Barisic; Lundstrum, Raskin; Morelos, Cantwell, Tillman; Sakala

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Roos; Pollock, MacDonald, Scales; McCrorie, Ramadani, Clarkson, Hayes; Duncan; Miovski, Duk


SM words green background

We say: Rangers 3-1 Aberdeen

Ultimately, it is difficult to imagine Rangers suffering three successive defeats, as Michael Beale's side are used to winning on a regular basis in this Scottish Premiership.

Buoyed by last month's victory, Aberdeen are bound to put up a decent fight at Ibrox, but we expect Rangers to gain revenge and return to winning ways on home soil.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


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Written by
Ben Morris

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Game History

How you voted: Rangers vs Aberdeen

Rangers
86.4%
Draw
0.0%
Aberdeen
13.6%
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1614204444044
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd176742519625
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Hearts1844102027-716
11Ross County183691435-2115
12St Johnstone1842122134-1314


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