Rangers predicted XI to face Aberdeen | OneFootball

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Football FanCast

·18 January 2022

Rangers predicted XI to face Aberdeen

Article image:Rangers predicted XI to face Aberdeen

Rangers will be looking to re-establish their six-point lead at the top of the Premiership as they return to action in the league tonight.

The Gers travel to face Aberdeen and can move six points clear of their nearest challengers with a win against the Dons.


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It is a first outing for Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side since Boxing Day due to the rescheduled winter break, having beaten St Mirren 2-0 towards the end of December.

Will Rangers beat Aberdeen?

How many changes will the Dutchman make to the team for tonight? Here is our predicted XI…

Article image:Rangers predicted XI to face Aberdeen

We are predicting that the 46-year-old will make three alterations to the team from their most recent match, with Juninho Bacuna, James Sands and Fashion Sakala coming in.

One player who could be axed from the XI to make away for Sakala is Scott Wright. Van Bronckhorst has rotated his attacking options throughout his time at the club so far and he could offer the Zambian an opportunity to come in and show what he can do on the wing, with the 24-year-old being the fall guy.

The summer signing has five goals and one assist in 14 Premiership outings this term, whilst only starting six league matches for the Gers. This suggests that he has the quality to come in and make an impact in a front three alongside Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.

Van Bronckhorst could also hand a debut to midfielder James Sands, who has joined the club from New York City FC on loan this month. Joe Aribo started the win over St Mirren and is now away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, leaving his place in the team open for someone to come in.

Scott Arfield and Steven Davis have both been ruled out through injury, which means that Sands could be primed to start in holding midfield alongside Glen Kamara.

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Article image:Rangers predicted XI to face Aberdeen

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Finally, Juninho Bacuna could come in to replace Ianis Hagi. The £21k-per-week Romania international could be axed after his poor showing against St Mirren prior to the break, recording a lowly SofaScore rating of 6.4 for his performance, the worst of any Gers starter that day.

As per SofaScore, he lost seven of his eight duels in the match and only created one chance from midfield. Therefore, Bacuna could be selected ahead of him in order to give him the chance to show Van Bronckhorst what he can do in the number 10 role.

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