Midweek Premiership Encounter: Aberdeen vs. Rangers

Aberdeen enters their home fixture against a vulnerable Rangers side with increased confidence in their title aspirations, particularly after demonstrating resilience by recovering from a two-goal deficit to secure a draw at Celtic Park, a result widely considered the initial significant test of Jimmy Thelin’s promising new era. Brendan Rodgers’ reigning champions are the sole team to have prevented Thelin’s squad from achieving victory in 15 matches this season, with nine of their wins, including Sunday’s 1-0 triumph over Dundee United, occurring before their home supporters. A 3-1 home loss to an Aberdeen team perceived as less formidable last September played a role in Michael Beale’s dismissal as Rangers manager, and the Ibrox club has not secured a win at Pittodrie in their two most recent visits. Current Ibrox manager Philippe Clement faces growing discontent among the fanbase regarding his position, just over a year after the Belgian assumed control. Rangers rebounded from an uninspired 1-0 defeat in Kilmarnock with a decisive 4-0 victory over FCSB in the Europa League, but subsequently struggled to a 2-1 win against St Mirren. Both of those victories took place at Ibrox. Away from Govan, Clement’s team has recorded only two wins in six away matches this season, and in the Premiership, they have collected all three points only twice in nine outings, with one of those instances occurring in their last six league games. Clement does possess a history of defeating Aberdeen, though his two most recent wins against them predated Thelin’s tenure and were also achieved at home. Clement’s only previous visit to Pittodrie, almost exactly a year ago, resulted in a 1-1 draw. A similar outcome would do little to alleviate the pressure on the former Club Brugge boss, as it would leave Rangers still six points adrift of the Dons and likely further behind Celtic in the standings. Clement’s decision to bench captain James Tavernier on Sunday surprised many. A return for the Englishman appears probable, given his record of 13 goals against Aberdeen, which is more than any other player has scored against a single club since the Premiership’s rebranding in 2013.