Derek McInnes took on his dream job as Rangers boss this summer but following their dismal European exit this week he already has the haunted look of a man contemplating a nightmare in front of him.
Two wins in seven games is not the start McInnes would have expected and their failure to secure a place in the Conference League has only served to heighten the tension around Ibrox again.
Aberdeen hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Light Blues in recent times, with just one victory in their last five visits to Pittodrie and it will be a bear-pit come Sunday lunchtime as the hosts look to compound former boss McInnes' misery.
Aberdeen v Rangers Tips Summary
Best Bet – Aberdeen to win @ 16/5
Alternative Bet – Kevin Nisbet Anytime Goalscorer @ 11/5
Bet Builder – Over 2 Goals, Both Teams to Receive 2+ Cards & Aberdeen Most Shots on Target @ 11/1
Aberdeen v Rangers Prediction
Best Bet: Aberdeen to win @ 16/5
Aberdeen have won two and drawn two from the last five meetings with Rangers at their home by the North Sea.
The cold winds are already blowing around Rangers boss McInnes, just a couple of months on from the optimism that surrounded his appointment.
McInnes famously "wasn't prepared to walk away" from Aberdeen in December 2017 when the Gers made their interest known but fast forward to summer 2026 and he walked out of Hearts in the aftermath of their title agony in May to take on his dream job.
Having come within minutes of a famous title success with the Jambos, McInnes felt the time was right to move to Govan but things are unravelling incredibly fast.
Exits from the Europa League and Conference League qualifiers are mixed in with one point from six in the Scottish Premiership and only two wins in seven games overall.
On Thursday night in the Czech Republic the Rangers boss admitted he was embarrassed and mortified by the performance and such comments are likely to create a chasm between McInnes and his under-performing squad.
Aberdeen will sense blood in the water and, particularly at Pittodrie in recent times, they have proved adept at rattling Rangers.
Stephen Robinson's side also happen to be in form, winning six of seven games in league and cup so far. With such turmoil at Rangers, quotes of 16/5 on a home win are too big to ignore.
Alternative Bet: Kevin Nisbet Anytime Goalscorer @ 11/5
Ex-Hibs forward Kevin Nisbet is now flourishing as skipper at Aberdeen. He's already closing in on double figures for the season, with nine goals bagged in seven outings, and he could make it into double figures before August is out with a goal against Rangers.
New Scotland boss Sebastian Pocognoli names his first squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures in the coming days and Nisbet, capped 11 times, must now be in the picture for a recall.
Nisbet comes to life in the opposition box and he should get opportunities to add to his three career goals against Rangers.
Aberdeen v Rangers Bet Builder Tip
- Over 2 Goals
- Both Teams to Receive 2+ Cards
- Aberdeen Most Shots on Target
Pays 11/1
Both teams have found the net in six of the last eight Pittodrie meetings between these bitter rivals, with over two goals obliging in three of the last six meetings at the ground and six of the last eight overall.
There is absolutely no love lost between the clubs and it could be a busy afternoon for referee Matthew MacDermid, who handed out an average of 3.74 yellow cards per game in the Scottish Premiership last season.
Across the last four meetings at Pittodrie, the hosts have collected 12 yellow cards with Rangers totalling 10. Expect plenty of spice and some flared tempers.
Rangers' display on Thursday was devoid of promise or cohesion and is a major worry for McInnes, whose post-game comments did nothing for morale.
They had just one shot on target, ensuring their four European qualifiers saw them firing only 10 shots on goal. Aberdeen have scored 16 times in seven games this season and have had more shots on target in two of Rangers' previous three visits too.
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Key Match Stats
- Aberdeen have won six of their seven games in league and cup this season (L1), scoring 16 goals while conceding just five
- Derek McInnes has won only two of his seven competitive games as Rangers manager (D2, L3)
- Rangers have won just one of their last five trips to Pittodrie (D2, L2)
- Rangers' European campaign is already over as they were knocked out by Czech side Jablonec on penalties in their Conference League play-off tie on Thursday
- Both teams have scored in six of the last eight meetings of these sides at Pittodrie
- Forward Kevin Nisbet has scored nine goals in seven games for Aberdeen so far this season
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
