Aberdeen v Rangers
Wednesday 6th February 1945hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Bet Victor
Odds: 5/6 (odds taken 19.00 GMT, Tuesday 5th February)
It’s third v second at Pittodrie on Tuesday as both Aberdeen and Rangers attempt to keep pace in the title race and within touching distance of leaders Celtic. With just two points between the teams it promises to be a pivotal match and you can read a betting preview of the game below.
Premiership Betting at Bet Victor
Aberdeen Preview
Aberdeen continue to stick it out in the top three and retain hope of their first top flight title since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge of them in the 1980s, following a confident and mature performance away to Hibs on Saturday. Considering both Celtic and Rangers have failed to win at Easter Road this season then it’s another indication of how capable this Dons team are. Despite finishing second in the past four seasons and reaching numerous cup finals, the criticism long levelled at Aberdeen has been how they often struggled to win against the Glasgow teams in high-pressured games but they cannot be accused of that on the evidence of this season. Heading into tomorrow’s home game with Rangers, Derek McInnes’ men have already beaten this opponent on two occasions – once in the league and also knocking them out the League Cup. Another win on Wednesday would see them go above Rangers into second spot and once again becoming the closest challengers to Celtic. However, their hopes have been dented somewhat with recent injuries to a couple of key players. Scott McKenna has been outstanding in defence all season whilst Sam Cosgrove – who has been in tremendous scoring form went off injured early on in their win over Hibs at the weekend, as did ‘keeper Joe Lewis. It remains to be seen whether Lewis and Cosgrove will be fit to face Rangers.
Key-Facts – Aberdeen v Rangers
- Aberdeen are unbeaten against Rangers this season, winning two and drawing once
- Both sides need the three points to keep up the pressure on leaders Celtic
- The last five meetings between Aberdeen and Rangers have had two or fewer goals scored
Rangers Preview
Rangers were comfortable winners of St Mirren last weekend but they did require four penalties and some favourable refereeing in order to achieve their 4-0 win. Regardless, it was another three points from a must-win game from Rangers who sit second and still six points behind leaders Celtic. Their cushion of two points over Aberdeen is under threat on Wednesday but Gerrard has stated in the past he believes his team are superior to the Dons despite having failed to beat them in three meetings this season. That confidence essentially stems from the opening day of the season when Rangers were reduced to 10 men early doors but played well and were unfortunate not to take all three point. The concern for Rangers’ manager must be that in the two games proceeding that encounter they have failed to score in either of them, unable to break Aberdeen’s resolute defence down. Gerrard will feel he has more options in attacking heading into this game with the January arrival of Jermaine Defoe from Bournemouth. The veteran striker has scored two goals in four appearances so far.
Aberdeen v Rangers Betting Preview
These games have a lot of bad blood attached to them and there’s usually a toxic atmosphere as a result. That atmosphere is only going to be amplified by the fact they are so close to each other in the table and have ambitions of wrestling the league title off Celtic for the first time in eight years. With Celtic playing on the same evening it means that a draw is unlikely to be all that good for either of these teams so we can expect both managers to be targeting the three points. Aberdeen have definitely got more concerns heading into the game due to injuries and with their options more limited than their opponents, the hosts will be giving those with knocks every opportunity to be fit.
A common trend amongst all three meetings between these teams so far this season has been how tight they have played out. A 1-1 draw and two 1-0 wins for Aberdeen suggest that they are closely matched and I would be anticipating another close 90 minutes in store at Pittodrie on Wednesday. Indeed, the last five games between these two have ended with two or less goals scored.
