Sunday 25th 2016 Kickoff: 1300hrs
Aberdeen v Rangers
Football – Scotland – Premiership
The rivalry between Aberdeen and Rangers is without doubt the biggest in Scottish football outside of the Glasgow derby. The tension between both clubs dates back decades and it has festered throughout that time to a sheer hatred between both sets of supporters. This weekend’s game will be the first the two have faced each other since Rangers were demoted to the bottom tier back in 2012 for their attitude to certain financial practices. As a result of that, the game at Pittodrie takes on even great significance and it looks sure to be a powder keg fixture which should not be missed.
In Rangers’ absence, Aberdeen have been the predominant challengers to Celtic, albeit distant ones. The Dons have been consistent in their own performances and have finished best of the rest in each of the last three seasons, without ever really having a realistic chance of winning their first league title since the 1980’s. Ironically, it was around that time that their rivalry with Rangers began to take shape and it has only intensified ever since. This season has been something of a frustration thus far for Aberdeen as they have not managed to find that quick start that they would have been hoping for as they look to cement their place as being closest to Celtic following Rangers’ promotion to the top flight. A disappointing Europa League exit to Maribor has been coupled with just two wins from their first six league games. It’s a run of form which has left them sitting in fourth, just ahead of this weekend’s opponents on goal difference. That being said, the only defeat the Dons have suffered domestically this term has come against the current champions and league leaders when they went down 4-1 at Celtic Park last month.
September has been a month to forgot for Mark Warburton and his Rangers team, in the main, but they will be hoping to end it on a high with their visit to Aberdeen as they bid to get their league campaign back on track. A lacklustre draw away to Kilmarnock was not the best start to the month but it has gradually got worse with a 5-1 thrashing away to rivals Celtic being the peak of their disappointment. Despite going into that match with high hopes they were thoroughly outplayed and got an idea of how far the club has to go before they are able to mount a serious title challenge following winning the Championship last season. Since that game they have not only suffered more on the park, with a very poor goalless draw at home to Ross County last weekend, but off it, too. Summer signing Joey Barton was hailed as a real coup but his performances have not lived up to expectation and following a training group bust-up with other players, Barton has been suspended from the club for three weeks. There was some slight respite during the week as Rangers won through to the semi finals of the League Cup with an emphatic win at home to Queen of the South, where they will face Celtic at Hampden next month.
As you would expect from a story that involves Joey Barton, the media attention surrounding the club has been frantic over the past fortnight. Warburton has appeared uneasy when asked to answer on the club’s behalf and it certainly will not be helping with his task of focussing on finding consistency on the field. There would appear to be doubt now around the long term future of Barton at Ibrox but the manager and players cannot afford to let it distract them as the games come thick and fast. The draw with Ross County means Rangers have now failed to win four of their six league games this term, and for all intents and purpose those games have been against the weaker teams in the league –aside from Celtic, of course. A win against Aberdeen would certainly lift spirits further after Tuesday’s success but a defeat, or even further dropped points, would bring yet more attention on Warburton who has come under fire of late for being naïve in his approach.
Aberdeen v Rangers Betting Tips
I fully expect this game to be akin to a derby match in the tempo and intensity it is played. The club’s simply do not like each other and the wait between now and the last time they played will only intensify matters. The fact that the two are also side by side in the table will also mean there is plenty to play for as Aberdeen and Rangers attempt to narrow the gap between themselves and league leaders Celtic.
In terms of their form then it is hard to split the clubs but Aberdeen certainly have the edge on experience at this level and there were signs last weekend against Dundee that they are beginning to find something like the form from last season. Even in defeat against Celtic there were signs of optimism as the Dons were the better team for spells in the second half when the score was 2-1, only to concede two late goals. That type of performance will be required to get the better of Rangers who themselves have to prove they are capable of winning these types of games. They started this campaign on the crest of a wave after cruising to the Championship title but life has been tough. The centre of defence remains an issue, as witnessed against Celtic, and the manager has not been willing to change his style of play, either, preferring to try and dominate possession and playing a high defensive line.
Aberdeen will have no qualms in allowing Rangers to have most of the possession an look to sit deep before trying to break, it’s an approach that suits them well and it could give them the edge over their visitors. I’m not convinced whatsoever by Ranger’s, either in terms of their tactics or mindset, and fancy the Dons to further compound Warburton’s misery.
Betting Tip Aberdeen 15/8 @ Bet365
