Celtic Title Hopes and Rangers’ Away Form: A Crucial Premiership Matchup
This Sunday, the Premiership will witness a highly anticipated clash between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie, with Celtic’s title hopes hanging in the balance. According to the BBC, a home win for Aberdeen could potentially clinch the title for Celtic.
The hosts, Aberdeen, have regained their momentum in the pursuit of third place, with four wins and two draws from their last seven Premiership matches. As the BBC notes, this resurgence in form has brought new optimism to the Dons’ camp. On the other hand, Rangers are still searching for their first home win under interim head coach Barry Ferguson but have been impressive on the road, winning each of their last five away league games and scoring at least three goals in each of those victories.
Rangers’ recent defensive heroics against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League may have taken a toll on the team, with the BBC suggesting that fatigue could influence Ferguson’s team selection for this match. However, as the BBC points out, Rangers have shown they can perform well despite having a short turnaround between matches, having won at Celtic Park last month just three days after extra-time and penalties against Fenerbahce.
Aberdeen have a decent record against Rangers at home, being unbeaten in three league games (two wins, one draw) and seeking back-to-back victories for the first time since February 2006 under Jimmy Calderwood. Meanwhile, Rangers are looking to achieve back-to-back league wins against Aberdeen for the first time since December 2022. As the BBC highlights, Rangers have a rich history, having scored three-plus goals in six straight away league victories only twice before, in September 1899 and November 1957.
In contrast, Rangers have struggled defensively in recent matches, conceding two or more goals in each of their last six league games. However, they showed their resilience against Bilbao, keeping a clean sheet with 10 men. As the BBC asks, will Rangers show the same focus and resolve against an Aberdeen side that has scored 10 goals in their last three home games in all competitions?
With both teams having a lot to play for, this early Sunday start promises to be an exciting encounter. As the BBC notes, "Early Sunday starts can be soporific affairs. This one should be anything but." The stage is set for a thrilling match that could have significant implications for the Premiership title and European qualification.
In conclusion, this match between Aberdeen and Rangers has all the ingredients of a classic encounter. With Celtic’s title hopes hanging in the balance, Rangers’ impressive away form, and Aberdeen’s resurgence in form, this match promises to be an unmissable event in the Premiership calendar. As the BBC so astutely observes, the potential for a thrilling contest is high, and fans will be eagerly anticipating the outcome.
