Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 17

Jan 15, 2025 at 8pm UK

Ibrox Stadium

Rangers vs Aberdeen

Match preview

It may appear that Rangers have enjoyed a strong start to the season, given their second-place finish in the Scottish Premiership, but the Gers have been riddled with inconsistency so far this term.

Philippe Clement has been heavily criticised after leading Rangers to their worst start to a campaign after 12 games since returning to the top flight in 2016-17, with the Gers winning seven, drawing two and losing three.

There was a brief respite when they won four straight Scottish Premiership games, but they have stumbled again in recent weeks, winning two, drawing three and losing one of their last six.

Those results have left Rangers 15 points adrift of Celtic at the top of the table after just 22 games, and they will be hoping for a strong run of results to help them close the gap.

The clash with Aberdeen could be an excellent opportunity for the Gers to pick up another three points, as the Dons go into the game without a win in their last 11 matches.

That is a far cry from Aberdeen's superb start to the season, when Jimmy Thelin's men went unbeaten in their first 16 games in all competitions, winning 15 and drawing one.

Their first defeat came in the Scottish League Cup semi-final, a humiliating 6-0 thrashing at the hands of Celtic, and although they bounced back with a 4-1 win over Dundee, they failed to win any of their next 11 games, recording four draws and seven defeats.

That has seen Aberdeen drop from joint top spot with Celtic to fourth with 35 points from 22 games, just eight ahead of seventh-placed St Mirren.

Thelin's men will be hoping to put an end to their winless run when they travel to Rangers on Wednesday, a team they have beaten twice and lost twice and drawn once in their last five meetings.

Recent Performance

Rangers Scottish Premiership form:LDWDDW

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:LLLLLD

Team News

Rangers have a number of injury concerns going into the game, including Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, James Tavernier, John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Tom Lawrence.

Danilo also went off injured in the 87th minute of the recent 3-1 win over St Johnstone, meaning Mohammed Diomande could be pushed forward with Connor Barron joining Nicolas Raskin in central midfield.

Hamza Igamane's fantastic run of form continued with another goal last time out, his sixth in five appearances, and the striker is likely to continue in attack.

Aberdeen will also be without several first-team players with Dimitar Mitov, Ester Sokler, Gavin Molloy, Jack Milne, Pape Habib Gueye and Vicente Besuijen all likely to miss out through injury.

Having scored just one goal in their last five games in the Scottish Premiership, Thelin may decide to make changes to his attacking line-up, with the likes of Shayden Morris and Duk likely to start.

Possible starting lineup

Rangers possible starting lineup:

Kelly; Yilmaz, Propper, Nsiala, Jefte; Raskin, Barron; Cerny, Diomande, Hagi; Igamane

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Doohan; Devlin, Tobers, Nilsen, McGarry; Shinnie, Palaversa; Duk, Clarkson, Morris; Nisbet