Aberdeen v Rangers preview: Team news, lineups, prediction
Rangers are back in Scottish Premiership action this weekend with a trip to Pittodrie to face Aberdeen on the horizon.
Barry Ferguson’s Gers played out the latest of their soap-opera Europa League escapades on Thursday (10 April), a 0-0 stalemate with Athletic Club which had everything but a goal at Ibrox.
Before the second leg next Thursday, it’s a Sunday journey north to face an Aberdeen side (13 April, 12pm) whose own season has certainly been one of contrasting periods – in what will be the final league fixture for each side before the 33-game league split.
Aberdeen v Rangers preview
Rangers fans understandably have all their eggs in the European basket, but a loud and proud away crowd will descend on Pittodrie this Sunday.
Each of Gers’ last five wins in all competitions have unbelievably come away from Ibrox, which bodes well in the short-term but the bigger picture suggests a problem the side must overcome sharpish.
Ferguson‘s side are 16 points ahead of Aberdeen in fourth – the Dons had previously built a major league challenge in the season’s early months but have had a torrid second third of the campaign.
Aberdeen have turned their form around since February, winning six of their last nine in all competitions, and are into the Scottish Cup semi-finals where they will face Hearts – the winner facing Celtic or St Johnstone at Hampden.
Gers will be seeking to avenge their last trip to Pittodrie, as they lost 2-1 in late October at a time when the Dons were looking incredible this season – until their winless run of 14 league matches put paid to their hopes of poking the bear.
Form guide
Aberdeen: WWDWD
Rangers: DLWWL
Team news
Ferguson could be without Bailey Rice for the trip to Aberdeen, and Dujon Sterling is out “long-term”, as the pair were both stretchered off against Athletic on Thursday night.
Sterling has picked up an Achilles injury, for which he will require surgery on Monday as Ferguson revealed to Sky Sports (11 April).
Mohamed Diomande and John Souttar both missed the first leg at Ibrox but will be available once again, having been suspended in Europe.
Liam Kelly is likely to retain his place following his penalty saving heroics on Thursday, though he could alternatively be kept back for the second leg in Bilbao with Jack Butland returning.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo remains out, while Oscar Cortes is still doubtful after a long spell on the sidelines.
| POS | Scottish Premiership table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 1 | Celtic | 32 | 78 | +71 |
| 2 | RANGERS | 32 | 65 | +33 |
| 3 | Hibernian | 32 | 50 | +9 |
| 4 | Aberdeen | 32 | 49 | -4 |
Aberdeen v Rangers predicted lineups
Aberdeen: Doohan, Jensen, Dorrington, Knoester, Shinnie, Palaversa, Clarkson, Morris, Gueye, Keskinen, Nisbet.
Rangers: Kelly, Tavernier, Balogun, Souttar, Jefte, Barron, Raskin, Cerny, Diomande, Danilo, Igamane.
Where to watch?
Sunday’s midday clash will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Football.
Prediction: Aberdeen 1-3 Rangers
Aberdeen have restored a decent vein of form in the league and could fancy their chances of a home double against Rangers, but Gers are confident and appear to play with less pressure on the road.
In fact, the Dons would probably rather have this game at Ibrox at the moment, for that reason. Rangers are playing with nothing really riding on it, which could turn in their favour.
A warm-up for Bilbao awaits, and Gers should get the job done – rotation-permitting from Ferguson, that is.