Rangers v Aberdeen
Football : Scottish Premier League
Sunday 28 August 2011 - Kickoff 3pm

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Rangers

Rangers exited the Europa League at the first hurdle on Thursday night as they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Maribor at Ibrox making it the 2nd European competition they failed to progress in after being beaten in the Champions League by Malmo.

Ally McCoist will expect to see a reaction from his side after the disappointment of Thursday, with the Scottish Premier League the big salvation point in his first season in charge. Rangers have picked up 10 points from their opening 4 games of the season and lead the table from Motherwell and Celtic. They have only played 1 League game at Ibrox, drawing 1-1 against Hearts.

They come into the game having drawn their last game with Maribor 1-1 after missing numerous chances throughout the game. The team were impressive in dispatching Motherwell 0-3 at Fir Park last week and Rangers have won 12 of their last 14 games in the League. Rangers have won just 3 of their last 5 games at Ibrox in the League.

Lee Wallace is definitely out, while David Weir, Sasa Papac and Lee McCulloch are all facing late fitness tests to determine availability. Steven Whittaker and Jordan McMillan are both likely to be available and new signing Alejandro Bedoya is in the squad.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen did not make a great start to the season, but they look like they are recovering although there is still plenty of work to be done at Pittodrie. This is a game that is eagerly anticipated by the fans, but it is a tough ask whenever they visit one of the Old Firm clubs.

The team have picked up 4 points from their first 5 games this season and they have moved up 10th place in the Scottish Premier League. They have lost both games away from Pittodrie, failing to score in any of those games and conceding 4 goals.

Aberdeen have won their last 2 games, 1 of those in the Scottish League Cup and both at Pittodrie. They had lost their last 3 games in the League before the win over Inverness last week, and they had failed to score in their previous 4 games.

Chris Clark and Kari Arnason are both hopeful of recovering from injury. Rob Milsom is also likely to be back and Yoann Folly is also in the squad after a leg break.

Head to Head

Rangers won all 3 meetings with Aberdeen last season, including a 2-0 win at Ibrox in their only game played there.

Rangers have won 8 of their last 9 home games against Aberdeen, and 6 of their last 7 wins have come courtesy of a 2 goal differential.

Prediction

Rangers missed a hatful of chances on Thursday and it will be interesting to see if the side can remove those thoughts from their mind and actually focus on this game. However, the rivalry between the clubs usually motivates both sets of players and I expect they will be ready to play.

Aberdeen have struggled for goals if you take away the 2 they scored against a disappointing Inverness last week. They were beaten heavily at Hearts in their last away game and they may be in for a long afternoon at Ibrox.

Rangers have usually had a comfortable time in their home games against Aberdeen in recent seasons and I expect they may do so again as I don't expect the home side to be so disappointing in front of goal after that game with Maribor.

After winning 6 of their last 8 games at Ibrox against Aberdeen by a couple of goals, I will back them to do so again.

The Pick :

Rangers 3-0 Aberdeen

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Rangers -1.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.90