ABERDEEN and Rangers meet in the Viaplay Cup Final on Sunday at Hampden and it should be a cracker.
Both sides will go into this full of confidence after outstanding European results.
Rangers topped their Europa League group after a sensational win in Spain – their first ever in the country against Spanish opposition – when they became the first side this season to win at Real Betis.
It was all the more impressive because they are struggling just now with a number of injuries and Philippe Clement's side remain unbeaten under the Belgian's tenure.
Aberdeen made eight chances from the team who won against Hearts last week and still beat an Eintracht Frankfurt side who battered Bayern Munich 5-1 last weekend.
It may have been a dead rubber at Pittodrie but the Bundesliga side still put out a strong team for the Europa Conference League game and it was the Dons' first win in eight European games this season.
Aberdeen have faced accusations of only lifting their game against Rangers and they have beaten them at Ibrox and came within a controversial injury time penalty of beating them at Pittodrie too this season.
The League Cup Final has also been at the centre of controversy with Rangers being allocated more tickets than Aberdeen which rankles highly with the north east side.
How the bookies view it
Rangers are around 1/3 in most places although Coral go 2/5 on a Rangers win in 90 minutes.
Aberdeen can be backed at 15/2 with bet365 and the draw is 7/2 with Paddy Power.
Recent head to heads
As stated Aberdeen have already beaten Rangers 3-1 at Ibrox and conceded a late penalty at Pittodrie the other week in a 1-1 draw.
The two sides have each won a recent League Cup semi-final at Hampden against each other.
Players to watch
Kemar Roofe was Rangers' hero in midweek and also bagged the winner against the Dons last season in the semi-final of this competition. Tbe Jamaica international is 8/5 to score anytime with William Hill.
Bojan Miovski is expected to be fit and he's been a huge player for Aberdeen this season. He also scored in that game last season and grabbed the only goal of the game against Hibs in the semi-final. The North Macedonian striker is 10/3 to score anytime with Boylesports.
Anything else catch the eye?
Aberdeen will treat this like an away European game. They will be happy to hand possession over to Rangers and try to hit on the break.
They have scored in each of their eight European games this season and can do so again at Hampden, but may fall short to a Rangers side who have more strength in depth and who look completely rejuvenated under Clement.
It points to Rangers to win and both teams to score at 21/10 with McBookie.com.
Aberdeen went almost five games without a corner recently and Rangers usually rake up a few so back them on the corners handicap at 6/5 with bet365 giving the Dons four corners of a start.
This fixture is tasty at the quietest of times. There was a red card when they met in the semi-final last year and with VAR involved, it wouldn't be a shock if there was another one at Hampden at 3/1 with bet365.
This Scottish League Cup match between Rangers and Aberdeen will be played on Dec 17, 2023 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Rangers vs Aberdeen prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
