Rangers, looking to build on their current five-game unbeaten streak, will host struggling Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium on Wednesday night in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are second in the standings with 44 points from 22 league outings, while the visitors are fourth in the table with 35 points from 22 games.
Match preview
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It may appear as though Rangers have enjoyed a strong start to the season given their second-placed status in the Scottish Premiership, but the Gers have been riddled with inconsistency so far this term.
Philippe Clement faced heavy criticism after leading Rangers to their worst start to a campaign after 12 matches since their return to the top flight in 2016-17, with the Gers winning seven, drawing two and losing three.
They were briefly improved as they won four successive Scottish Premiership fixtures, but they have faltered once again in recent weeks, with just two wins, three draws and one defeat in their past six outings.
Those results leave Rangers already trailing their rivals Celtic at the peak of the table by a significant 15 points after just 22 fixtures, and they will be hoping to put together a strong winning run in an attempt to close that gap.
Coming up against Aberdeen could give the Gers a brilliant opportunity to secure another three points, with the Dons heading into this one having failed to win any of their last 11 games.
That marks a considerable downturn compared to the superb start to the season that Aberdeen enjoyed, which saw Jimmy Thelin's side remain unbeaten in their first 16 matches across all competitions, with 15 wins and one draw.
They eventually suffered their first defeat against Celtic in the Scottish League Cup semi-final, a humiliating 6-0 loss, and while they initially bounced back with a 4-1 win against Dundee, they have failed to win in the following 11 outings, securing just four draws and seven losses.
Aberdeen, as a result, have fallen from joint at the top of the table with Celtic to fourth in the standings with 35 points from 22 outings, only eight ahead of seventh-placed St Mirren.
Thelin will be aiming to finally put an end to their dismal winless run as they face Rangers on Wednesday, a team that Aberdeen have beaten twice in the last five meetings, alongside two losses and one draw.
Team News
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Rangers are dealing with a number of injury issues heading into this game, including Dujon Sterling, Jack Butland, James Tavernier, John Souttar, Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Tom Lawrence.
Danilo also went off with an injury in the 87th minute of their recent 3-1 win against St Johnstone, meaning Mohammed Diomande may be pushed forward with Connor Barron joining Nicolas Raskin in central midfield.
Hamza Igamane's fantastic run of form continued with another goal in their last outing, his sixth in five appearances, and the striker is likely to continue in attack here.
Aberdeen are also set to 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 with injury.
Having scored just one goal in their last five Scottish Premiership fixtures, Thelin could opt to make changes to his attacking lineup, meaning the likes of Shayden Morris and Duk could start here.
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
We say: Rangers 2-0 Aberdeen
Rangers are certainly the favourites given Aberdeen's miserable run of results heading into this game, and with the visitors having struggled in front of goal, we expect the hosts to win and keep a clean sheet here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
