Aberdeen vs Rangers preview

Scotland flag 2026/2027 Premiership, Scotland
Pittodrie Stadium
Premiership
AberdeenABE
0 1
RangersRAN
Full Time
Round 4 1st Phase
|
Goal
Lawrence Shankland - 69' (P)

CONTEXT

Aberdeen faced Rangers in a Scottish Premiership encounter that concluded with a 0-1 scoreline in favor of the visitors. The match remained goalless at halftime with both teams level at 0-0. Rangers controlled more of the possession at 56 percent compared to Aberdeen's 44 percent. Expected goals favored Rangers significantly with 1.87 against Aberdeen's 0.52. The stronger team according to pre-match assessment prevailed as Rangers secured the victory. No red cards were issued to either side during the contest. The outcome aligned with the expected goals metrics and showed consistency in the result. Rangers demonstrated superior attacking intent and efficiency in their approach play leading to the solitary goal.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Rangers exhibited a significant deviation of 100 percent from pre-match expectations.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift was in line with expectations for both teams.
  • xG alignment: The match outcome was consistent with the xG metrics showing Rangers superiority.
  • Market alignment: The result aligned with market expectations as the stronger team won.
  • xG expectations: Rangers generated 1.87 xG compared to Aberdeen's 0.52 indicating clear superiority.
  • Event impact: No significant events altered the flow beyond the standard play leading to the 0-1 result.
  • Red card distortion: No red cards were shown to either team resulting in no distortion to the match dynamics.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
M. MacDermid
M. MacDermid
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
D. McGeachie
D. McGeachie
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
J. Bell
J. Bell
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
S. Murdoch
S. Murdoch
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Aberdeen S. Robinson
S. Robinson
VS
Rangers D. McInnes
D. McInnes
1.17
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.45
1.17 i
Last 6 Opponents
Dundee Rank: 62 L
Hearts Rank: 74 W
Dundee Rank: 64 L
St. Mirren Rank: 63 L
Dundee United Rank: 64 W
Livingston Rank: 53 D
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
0.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Hibernian Rank: 70 L
Dundee United Rank: 64 D
Falkirk Rank: 64 W
Hibernian Rank: 70 L
Celtic Rank: 83 L
Hearts Rank: 74 L
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 1 - 5
5

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
60.88
75.85
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Aberdeen
Rangers
Power Score
60.88
75.85
League Position
9
10
Global Rank
547
132

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Aberdeen — Opponent-weighted form score
Rangers — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Aberdeen Rangers

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Aberdeen

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Rangers

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —
Possession Efficiency data not available for this match.

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Aberdeen
vs
Rangers
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Aberdeen Rangers
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
58%
52%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
0.00 1.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.30 vs +0.03
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Aberdeen Rangers
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
52%
58%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
1.00 0.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
+0.03 vs -0.30
Aberdeen
Rangers
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Aberdeen
vs
Rangers
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Aberdeen Rangers
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Aberdeen 0.00
Rangers 0.00
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Aberdeen Rangers
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Aberdeen 0.00
Rangers 0.00
Aberdeen
Rangers
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • RAN had peak pressure around 29'.
  • ABE started the game with stronger pressure.
ABE Pressure RAN Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: RAN reached the top pressure at 29' (74.01).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 7 matches between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Aberdeen ABE Home
7 matches
Rangers RAN Away
Match Record
1
Wins
5
1
Draws
1
5
Losses
1
Goals
5
Goals Scored
18
18
Goals Conceded
5
-13
Goal Difference
+13
Expected Goals
0.48
xG
1.91
1.91
xGA
0.48

Data last updated: 2026-08-30T09:00:23+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026/2027 Premiership, Scotland · Round 4 · 1st Phase
Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium
Capacity
20866
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Michael MacDermid
David McGeachie
Jonathan Bell
S. Murdoch

Statistics

Possession
ABE
46%
RAN
54%

Top Statistics

0 Goals 1
1 Big Chances Created 1
4 Shots 8
46 Dangerous attacks 42
44 Possession 56
6 Corners 6
15 Free kicks 20
6 Yellow Cards 3

Match Overview

1 Ball Safe 2
0 Penalties 1
12 Goal Kicks 8
1 Goal Attempts 0
3 Substitutions 4
17 Throwins 16
15 Dribble Attempts 17
5 Successful Dribbles 9
33 Successful Dribbles Percentage 53

Attacking

78 Attacks 69
1 Big Chances Missed 0

Possession

51 Long Passes 43
288 Passes 377
215 Successful Passes 309
75 Successful Passes Percentage 82
8 Key Passes 9
19 Successful Long Passes 14
37 Successful Long Passes Percentage 33

Defensive

3 Saves 2
23 Tackles 13
2 Interceptions 3
57 Duels Won 56

Build-up

20 Total Crosses 15
5 Accurate Crosses 2

Discipline

4 Offsides 2
21 Fouls 15

Lineup

Referee : Michael MacDermid

Starting XI ▼

27
Marius Müller
Marius Müller Goalkeeper
7.06
23
Lewis Mayo
Lewis Mayo Defender
7.24
24
Nesta Guinness-Walker
Nesta Guinness-Walker Defender
6.98
26
Daniel Happe
Daniel Happe Defender
7.3
28
Chris Cadden
Chris Cadden Defender
6.91
7
Tony Yogane
Tony Yogane Midfielder
6.62
17
Stuart Armstrong
Stuart Armstrong
Midfielder46'
6.58
20
Toyosi Olusanya
Toyosi Olusanya Midfielder
6.63
25
Connor Ronan
Connor Ronan Midfielder
6.79
9
Ayoub Mouloua
Ayoub Mouloua
Attacker75'
6.53
31
Mitchy Ntelo
Mitchy Ntelo Midfielder
6.75
11
Lewis Smith
Lewis Smith
Attacker63'
6.55
32
Afeez Aremu
Afeez Aremu Midfielder
6.85
15
Kevin Nisbet
Kevin Nisbet Attacker
7.23
Referee : Michael MacDermid

Starting XI ▼

1
Ivor Pandur
Ivor Pandur Goalkeeper
6.48
21
Dujon Sterling
Dujon Sterling Defender
7.2
24
Olwethu Makhanya
Olwethu Makhanya Defender
6.98
29
James Penrice
James Penrice Defender
7.14
18
Kosta Nedeljkovic
Kosta Nedeljkovic
Defender72'
6.73
37
Emmanuel Fernandez
Emmanuel Fernandez Defender
7.4
6
Dan Neil
Dan Neil Midfielder
6.76
10
Min-su Kim
Min-su Kim Midfielder
17
Daisuke Yokota
Daisuke Yokota
Midfielder72'
7.15
14
Cammy Devlin
Cammy Devlin Midfielder
7.15
23
Djeidi Gassama
Djeidi Gassama Midfielder
6.84
52
Findlay Curtis
Findlay Curtis Midfielder
4
Ben Godfrey
Ben Godfrey
Defender86'
6.74
7
Lawrence Shankland
Lawrence Shankland Attacker
6.98
20
Ryan Naderi
Ryan Naderi
Attacker86'
6.86

Events

2ND-HALF
86'
Event
Ben Godfrey → Findlay Curtis
6th Substitution
86'
Event
Ryan Naderi → Lawrence Shankland
7th Substitution
Event
Kevin Nisbet
Goal disallowed
84'
Event
Lewis Mayo
Foul / 9th Yellowcard
77'
Event
Ayoub Mouloua → Connor Ronan
5th Substitution
75'
72'
Event
Kosta Nedeljkovic → James Penrice
3rd Substitution
72'
Event
Daisuke Yokota → Min-su Kim
4th Substitution
69'
Event
Lawrence Shankland
Right foot shot / 1st Penalty
65'
Event
Dujon Sterling
Foul / 8th Yellowcard
Event
Lewis Smith → Mitchy Ntelo
2nd Substitution
63'
Event
Toyosi Olusanya
Foul / 7th Yellowcard
55'
49'
Event
Cammy Devlin
Foul / 6th Yellowcard
Event
Stuart Armstrong → Tony Yogane
1st Substitution
46'
1ST-HALF
Event
Afeez Aremu
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
44'
Event
Connor Ronan
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
43'
37'
Event
Findlay Curtis
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Chris Cadden
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
36'
Event
Daniel Happe
Handball / 1st Yellowcard
4'

Match Commentary

90
Update Update
Offside.
90
Attempt Attempt
Kosta Nedeljkovic takes a left-footed shot but misses.
86
Substitution Substitution
Ben Godfrey is substituted for Findlay Curtis.
86
Update Update
Ryan Don Naderi comes on for Lawrence Shankland.
83
GOAL! GOAL! Important
VAR decision: goal disallowed due to a foul by Kevin Nisbet.
83
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Kevin Nisbet takes a shot with his head and scores a goal.
83
Attempt Attempt
Ayoub Mouloua takes a shot with his head, but it is saved.
83
Attempt Attempt
Kevin Nisbet's header is saved.
83
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! Kevin Nisbet scores to make it 1-1.
82
Attempt Attempt
Djeidi Gassama takes a right-footed shot but misses.
77
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Lewis Mayo receives a yellow card.
75
Update Update
Ayoub Mouloua comes on for Connor Ronan.
72
Update Update
Daisuke Yokota is on, and Min-su Kim is off.
72
Update Update
Kosta Nedeljkovic comes on for James Penrice.
70
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal! The score is now 0-1.
69
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Lawrence Shankland takes a shot with his right foot and scores.
69
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal in the penalty shootout! Lawrence Shankland scores, making it 0-1.
66
Update Update
Offside.
66
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
65
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Dujon Sterling receives a yellow card.
63
Update Update
Lewis Smith is on, and Mitchy Ntelo is off.
60
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
59
Attempt Attempt
Daniel Happe takes a shot with his head, but it's blocked.
59
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
56
Attempt Attempt
Djeidi Gassama takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
56
Attempt Attempt
Min-su Kim takes a right-footed shot, but it is saved.
56
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
55
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Olutoyosi Tajudeen Olusanya.
54
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
52
Attempt Attempt
Lawrence Shankland takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
51
Attempt Attempt
Kevin Nisbet's right-footed shot is blocked.
49
Attempt Attempt
Djeidi Gassama takes a right-footed shot but misses.
49
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Cameron Devlin receives a yellow card.
49
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
48
Update Update
Offside.
47
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
47
Attempt Attempt
Stuart Armstrong takes a left-footed shot but misses.
46
Update Update
Stuart Armstrong replaces Tony Yogane.
44
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Aremu Afeez.
43
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Connor Ronan receives a yellow card.
42
Attempt Attempt
Findlay Curtis takes a right-footed shot but misses.
41
Attempt Attempt
Kevin Nisbet takes a shot with his head, but it's saved.
40
Attempt Attempt
Daniel Neill takes a right-footed shot, but it misses the target.
39
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
39
Attempt Attempt
Lawrence Shankland's header is saved.
38
Attempt Attempt
Min-su Kim takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
38
Attempt Attempt
Kevin Nisbet attempts a header but misses the shot.
37
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow card issued to Findlay Curtis.
36
Attempt Attempt
Christopher Cadden takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
36
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Christopher Cadden receives a yellow card.
33
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
32
Attempt Attempt
Findlay Curtis takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
30
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
29
Attempt Attempt
Connor Ronan takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
28
Update Update
Offside.
27
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
26
Attempt Attempt
Djeidi Gassama takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
25
Update Update
Offside.
24
Attempt Attempt
James Penrice takes a left-footed shot but misses.
19
Update Update
Offside.
19
Attempt Attempt
Min-su Kim takes a right-footed shot but misses.
12
Attempt Attempt
Findlay Curtis takes a left-footed shot but misses.
10
Attempt Attempt
Kevin Nisbet takes a header shot, but it misses the target.
10
Corner Corner
Corner awarded.
8
Attempt Attempt
Min-su Kim takes a left-footed shot, but it's saved.
5
Attempt Attempt
Djeidi Gassama takes a right-footed shot, but it is blocked.
4
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Daniel Happe receives a yellow card.
3
Attempt Attempt
Mitchy Ntelo takes a left-footed shot, but it is saved.
2
Attempt Attempt
Daniel Happe takes a left-footed shot but misses.
1
Update Update
Kick-off has occurred!

CONCLUSION

The result reflected the expected goals disparity where Rangers outperformed in creation throughout the match. Possession advantage for the visitors translated directly into the win without any distortions from dismissals or other interruptions. Efficiency remained in line with projections based on the underlying numbers. Aberdeen created limited opportunities and failed to match the visitors in key attacking metrics. The halftime score of 0-0 gave way to a second half where Rangers converted their dominance into the decisive goal. Overall the data supported the final outcome with no major anomalies present in the performance indicators.