Rangers vs Aberdeen betting tips: Scottish League Cup semi-final preview, predictions, team news and odds

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Rangers vs Aberdeen

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Rangers vs Aberdeen

January 15, 2023

3:00 pm GMT

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Match preview

Will Rangers remain on course for a first League Cup triumph in 12 years, or can Aberdeen spring a surprise and reach the final?

Back in May, the Light Blues ended their wait for silverware at Hampden, beating Hearts 2-0 after extra time in the Scottish Cup Final.

Now, having captured the Premiership title 12 months earlier, the Gers are looking to complete the set of domestic silverware since returning to the top-flight in 2016.

This competition is especially important for Mick Beale, who’s taken over as manager, having previously been Steven Gerrard’s assistant for over three years.

Under Beale, they’ve taken 16 points from six league games, most recently beating Dundee United 2-0 last Sunday.

Fashion Sakala and Malik Tillman on target at Tannadice.

However, having only managed a 2-2 draw in the Glasgow derby, Rangers remain nine points behind league-leaders Celtic.

In this competition, the Light Blues have so far seen off two lower-league clubs at home, easing past Queen of the South and then Dundee.

This though will be a far tougher test, with Aberdeen 2-1 up against Rangers just 26 days ago, only for the Gers to score not once but twice in injury time at Pittodrie.

This came in the midst of a four-game losing streak for Jim Goodwin’s team that, thankfully for them, is now over.

The Dons beat St Johnstone 2-0 last weekend, with fans’ favourite Duk bagging both goals.

In this season’s League Cup, Jim Goodwin’s side have scored 20 goals and conceded just two, beating Peterhead, Dumbarton, Stirling Albion, Raith, Annan and then Partick Thistle.

Of course, Aberdeen come into this tie as big underdogs, but can take heart from the fact they did manage to beat Rangers at this stage of this competition just four seasons ago.

Will Beale’s bears prevail, or can the Dons cause a Hampden Park cup shock?

Rangers team news

It’ll be interesting to see who Mick Beale goes with in goal; Allan McGregor was dropped last weekend, with Jon McLaughlin taking his place.

At the back, with Filip Helander and John Souttar out long-term, Ben Davies has established himself as Connor Goldson’s partner.

Up top, Antonio Čolak, who’s got 11 Premiership goals to his name, featured for the first time since 9 November last weekend due to a calf strain.

Will he keep his place, or will Alfredo Morelos return?

Ryan Jack will start in midfield against the club he joined as an eight year old and made 250 senior appearances for.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): McLaughlin; Tavernier, Davies, Goldson, Barišić; Jack, Lundstram, Tillman, Sakala, Kent; Čolak.

Aberdeen team news

Jim Goodwin won the League Cup as a player in 2013, but has lost both previous matches at Hampden as a manager.

He’ll be relying on star man Duk in this one; the Cape Verde international has scored 11 times this season, including a magnificent free-kick against Rangers last month.

At the back, Ross McCrorie has been filling in at right-back recently, and will continue to do so against his former club.

Graeme Shinnie made his second Aberdeen debut last weekend, having returned on loan from Wigan.

During his first spell, he made 188 appearances, six of which came at the National Stadium.

Bojan Miovski has scored 12 goals this season, and now would be a great time for the North Macedonian to end his goal draught which dates back to 12 November.

Midfielder Patrik Myslovič could be in a matchday squad for the first time having arrived from MŠK Žilina.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Roos; McCrorie, Stewart, Scales, Coulson; Ramadani, Shinnie, Clarkson, Kennedy, Duk; Miovski.

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