Derek McInnes is back at Pittodrie as Rangers manager, and he is in dire need of a result against his old side. He spent eight years at Aberdeen but is unlikely to feel any home comforts at his old stomping ground.
McInnes is winless so far in the Premiership with Rangers, and after a nightmare exit from Europe at the hands of Jablonec in the Conference League, he will be demanding three points from his players. Stephen Robinson is also searching for his first league win this term, and the Dons will look to pile the misery on the Glasgow giants in the Granite City.
Pressure Mounts on McInnes
McInnes has warned Rangers' big-money new boys they are going to have to learn to live with the suffocating Ibrox expectation levels. Rangers announced the signing of £8.5million Korean wideman Minsu Kim last week and are expecting to unveil £9million Portland Timbers frontman Kevin Kelsy ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline.
The demands for both men to live up to their costly transfer fees were already soaring before Thursday's Conference League clash with Jablonec. McInnes does not think he is under pressure, backing himself to be a success as Rangers manager despite a horror start to his Ibrox tenure.
Team News and Officials
Winger Kim Min-su will be available for selection for the first time since his £8.5m move from Girona earlier this week. Ben Godfrey returned to the bench against Jablonec after picking up a hamstring injury on the opening day against Dundee United.
Matthew MacDermid is the match referee. His assistant referees are David McGeachie and Jonathan Bell. Andrew Dallas is on VAR duty, assisted by Grant Irvine.
Predictions from the Experts
Scott McDermott predicts a 1-1 draw, saying: "After Rangers' dire display in the Czech Republic on Thursday night, can you really trust these players to turn up at Pittodrie and get a much-needed win? You'd have to doubt it." Scott Burns also goes for 2-2, stating: "I don't think it is a game that Aberdeen will lose."
Gavin Berry backs Rangers to win 1-0, noting: "Lose and the knives really could be out for him." Fraser Wilson, Ross Pilcher, and Mark Pirie all predict 1-1 draws, with Pilcher adding: "It's been a week from Hell for Rangers and the last thing they need is a trip to Pittodrie."
A humiliating Europa Conference League exit to Jablonec leaves the Light Blues without any European football this season for the first time in nine years. Gers have blown both chances this summer, with Jageillonia Bialystok knocking them out of the Europa League to set up Thursday night's last chance saloon clash with the Czechs. McInnes is still winless in the league, having drawn at Dundee United and lost to Hibs ahead of the clash at Pittodrie.
