Afghanistan
Angola
Argentina
Asia (AFC)
Asian Games
Australia
Belgium-Netherlands
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Central American & Caribbean Games
Central American Games
Congo DR
Denmark
England
Europe (UEFA)
FYR Macedonia
Finland
Germany
Greece
International Tournaments
Italy
Mediterranean Games
Mexico
National
Nepal
North & Central America (Concacaf)
Palestine
Pan American Games
Panama
Russia
Scandinavia
Serbia And Montenegro
South American Games
Spain
Syria
USA
Venezuela
World (FIFA)
Yemen
Zimbabwe

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 18 December 2022, 18:27
Aberdeen host Rangers in the Scottish Premiership on Tuesday, as the visitors look to close the gap to Celtic at the top of the table.

The hosts, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to the champions at the weekend.

Match preview

Indeed, the Dons fell to Callum McGregor's 87th-minute winner for Celtic after putting in an incredibly disciplined defensive performance at Pittodrie Stadium in their first game back from the World Cup-enforced break.

Jim Goodwin's side had just 19% of possession despite playing on their home turf, mustering only two shots as Kelle Roos made save after save in Aberdeen's goal.

However, Celtic's pressure ultimately paid dividends when their captain struck with only three minutes of normal time remaining, potentially leaving their opponents mentally and physically shot ahead of another challenging game this week.

Having held the Gers in their last match against them at their stadium in January earlier this year, though, there is every chance that Scotland's third-placed side can cause an upset on Tuesday.

After opting to poach Michael Beale from Queens Park Rangers to replace Giovanni van Bronckhorst in their managerial dugout, Rangers returned from the break with a dramatic 3-2 win against Hibernian on Thursday.

The visitors twice took the lead in the opening exchanges at Ibrox Stadium, but quickfire strikes from Ryan Jack and Alfredo Morelos either side of the hour mark handed Beale a crucial victory in his first game in charge.

With a nine-point deficit behind Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership, Tuesday's trip to Aberdeen provides a golden opportunity to place some pressure on the Bhoys ahead of their clash against Livingston a little less than 24 hours later.

With the two Glasgow rivals coming head-to-head in a few weeks' time, Beale's side can not afford any further slip ups if they are to stand a realistic chance of overhauling Ange Postecoglou's side between now and the end of the campaign.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

W

L

W

L

W

L

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:

D

W

L

W

D

W

Rangers form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

W

W

Team News

Aberdeen will remain without Callum Roberts, who faces at least a couple of more weeks on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.

Given how close his side were to claiming an excellent point against Celtic at the weekend, Goodwin may choose to pick the same team, providing he has no concerns regarding his player's energy levels.

Rangers have a whole host of injury issues at present, with Connor Goldson, Filip Helander, John Souttar, Ridvan Yilmaz, Nnamdi Ofoborh, Ianis Hagi and Tom Lawrence all unlikely to make the trip to Aberdeen.

Beale is unlikely to make any changes to a winning XI after his side completed an excellent comeback against Hibs last time out.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; McCrorie, Stewart, McKenzie; Kennedy, Barron, Ramadani, Clarkson, Coulson; Miovski, Lopes

Rangers possible starting lineup:

McGregor; Tavernier, Sands, Lundstram, Devine; Kamara, Jack; Sakala, Tillman, Kent; Morelos

We say: Aberdeen 0-2 Rangers

After falling to a cruel late defeat against Celtic at the weekend, we think Aberdeen may struggle to hold Rangers out for as long given the quick turnaround between the two fixtures.

Indeed, Beale's side have had two days' greater rest than their forthcoming opponents, which could prove crucial as they look to haul their great rivals in at the top of the table.

Previews by email

Top News

22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea star Cole Palmer will be bidding to add to an incredible Premier League record when he lines up against Leicester City on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League is back and that can only mean one thing. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City are confident of agreeing a lucrative new contract with Erling Haaland after Pep Guardiola agreed to stay, talkSPORT understands. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to build on their impressive win over Osasuna before the international break when they resume their domestic campaign with a clash against Leganes on Sunday evening. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a mixed injury update ahead of the Reds' imminent showdowns with Southampton in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The January transfer window is an opportunity for teams to fix their summer spending on the cheap, or in these cases, for free. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz may have transformed himself at Arsenal - but he's not on the level of his Premier League rivals. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea defender Reece James has suggested that he is remaining upbeat over his latest hamstring injury. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Mohamed Salah is one of the world's best players and he has become one of the top five Liverpool goalscorers ever. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Phil Foden is a superstar for Manchester City, but he still opts to wear an unconventional number at his boyhood club. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The latest instalment of the Basque derby will take place at San Mames on Sunday night, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming rivals Real Sociedad for what should be a highly-charged affair. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa will be looking to extend a Premier League feat when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Having entered the international break with a run of three straight defeats, both Torino and Monza will try to stop the rot on Sunday, when they lock horns in Turin. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Third kits in the Premier League have caught the eye this season and you will certainly notice a unique difference from typical strips… 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal's Premier League home clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon is their "biggest game of the season" so far, according to Gunners expert Charles Watts. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sevilla will attempt to bounce back from successive defeats in La Liga when they continue their campaign with a fixture against Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Ramon on Sunday afternoon. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool will endeavour to maintain or increase their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table when they pit their wits against Southampton on Sunday at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 talksport.com There can't be many things better for a football fan than to see your side score within the first minute of a game. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fifth will welcome fourth in an intriguing La Liga contest on Sunday afternoon, with Villarreal making the trip to El Sadar Stadium to tackle Osasuna. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Jose Mourinho once confirmed he received an offer from the FA to become England manager after leaving his first spell as Chelsea boss. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Newcastle have the chance to close in on the Premier League's top four on Monday when they host West Ham, live on talkSPORT. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Separated by 19 places and 24 points in the Premier League table, Southampton and Liverpool cross paths in Sunday's Premier League showdown at St Mary's Stadium. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is expecting to be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for Sunday's Premier League bout with Southampton at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid will be aiming to make it successive victories in La Liga when they resume their campaign with a clash against Leganes on Sunday evening. 22 November 2024 talksport.com The Premier League has been treated to the talents of some of the best African footballers of all time over the years. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Southampton head coach Russell Martin will be forced into at least two changes for Sunday's Premier League clash with leaders Liverpool at St Mary's. 22 November 2024 talksport.com Manchester City face another legal dispute with the Premier League after amendments to top-flight sponsorship rules were voted through. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to continue their sensational unbeaten streak, Lille will welcome a struggling Rennes outfit to Decathlon Arena on Sunday afternoon for a Ligue 1 clash. 22 November 2024 talksport.com If Micah Richards had a glimmer of hope he would replace Gary Lineker as Match of the Day host, he is sorely mistaken. 22 November 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Pedro Porro's agent is reportedly 'convinced' that Ruben Amorim will attempt to bring the Tottenham Hotspur defender to Manchester United following his arrival at Old Trafford.