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

It is a quick turnaround for Rangers, who face Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership's early kick-off on Saturday afternoon.

Match preview

After shipping four away to Celtic in the first Glasgow Derby of the season last weekend, Rangers followed it up with another 4-0 defeat against Ajax in their opening Champions League group stage fixture.

Trailing 3-0 at half-time in both of those fixtures, Rangers have now conceded as many goals in the previous two matches as they had done in their previous 10 games before that.

It has been a tough week for the record Scottish champions, who have already seen a five point gap open up between themselves and bitter rivals Celtic at the top of the table.

Struggling of late, Rangers enter the weekend clash with just one win from their previous three Scottish Premiership matches, and while that is not the worst set of results, it is below the lofty standards set by the Gers.

Stopping the goals going in will be of paramount importance to Rangers, as only two side in the top half of the Scottish Premiership have conceded more this season.

Similarly, Rangers' Saturday opponents have also shipped seven goals from their opening six league matches, but for Aberdeen they will be content with the start to the campaign they have made.

Sitting in third, just three points behind Rangers, Aberdeen know a victory against the 2020-21 champions will see them move into second in the table.

They have already mustered up three wins so far this season, but given their wretched record in head-to-heads against Rangers, it is unlikely a fourth victory of the campaign will arrive this weekend.

March 2019 was the last time Aberdeen took three points against Rangers, with Saturday's visitors having gone 11 matches unbeaten in this fixture.

Surprisingly, Aberdeen have a worse record at home to Rangers than they do away, with September 2019 the last time they managed a league victory against the Gers at Pittodrie.

Nine meetings have come and gone at Pittodrie for Aberdeen without a win over Rangers, with the home side hoping this weekend will be tenth time lucky.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

Rangers form (all competitions):

Team News

A hamstring problem will mean Callum Roberts is not involved for Aberdeen this weekend, with the midfielder out with a hamstring problem.

Mid-September is the expected return date for Connor Barron, but the midfielder is also likely to be missing for Aberdeen this weekend.

As for Rangers, part of their struggles at the back could be down to the injuries for John Souttar and Filip Helander, who are missing this weekend through injury.

The pair are expected to be back before the end of the month, but the same cannot be said for Ianis Hagi and Nnamdi Ofoborh, who will not be in action until late October at the earliest.

Tom Lawrence is still recovering from a knee problem, but there could be a return for Kemar Roofe, who has been nearing fitness.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; Richardson, Stewart, Scales, Coulson; Ramadani, McCroie; Hayes, Clarkson, Besuijen; Miovski

Rangers possible starting lineup:

McLaughlin; Barisic, Goldson, Sands, Tavernier; Davis, Lundstram, Kamara; Tilman, Colak, Kent

We say: Aberdeen 0-2 Rangers

It has been a rough couple of games for Rangers, who have not impressed in either of their last two outings.

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