Rangers continue their hunt for a first Scottish League Cup in over a decade, when they face Aberdeen in the semi-finals on Sunday.
Goals from the in-form Malik Tillman and Fashion Saka earned Rangers a 2-0 win over Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership in their last outing, with the Light Blues having won five and drawn once since Michael Beale took over as manager in December. Attention now turns to the Viaplay Cup on Sunday, where the winner of Rangers' clash with Aberdeen will come up against holders Celtic after their 2-0 win over Kilmarnock last night.
Rangers' last win in the competition came back in 2011, with 2019 the last time the Gers reached the final. Rangers and Aberdeen have already met twice this season, the latest a 3-2 win that saw Scott Arfield score twice in added-time to secure the win.
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So, can Rangers advance to the League Cup final this weekend? We used FIFA 23 to try and predict the score.
Rangers vs Aberdeen score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the Rangers squad with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that Rangers could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: McLaughlin; Tavernier, Goldson, Davies, Barisic; Tillman, Lundstram, Jack; Fashion, Morelos, Kent.
We predict that the visitors could set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with their line-up as follows: Roos; McCroie, Stewart, Scales, Coulson; Ramadani, Shinnie; Kennedy, Clarkson, Duk; Miovski.
Rangers started the semi-final clash as the better side, with the Light Blues looking dangerous going forward, despite attacks not forming very often. A 20-minute spell saw Aberdeen somehow not take the lead when Duk hit both posts, and they were made to pay for their sloppiness in front of goal when Fashion Sakala made it 1-0.
As James Tavernier ventured down the right, the defender cut inside to try and find an option, but with no players available, he was halted on the edge of the Aberdeen box. The defender laid the ball into the path of Sakala on the edge of the area, and the winger rifled a powerful effort across goal, rising into the top corner of the net to put the Gers in front.
After a fantastic goal that came from nothing, Beale's side were ahead. Momentum was on their side, and just six minutes later the Gers doubled their lead when Alfredo Morelos got on the scoresheet.
With most of the play going down the right side of the pitch, Malik Tillman switched play to the left, setting up Ryan Kent in a brilliant position. After bursting past his marker and reaching the byline, Kent fired a cross into the box where Morelos was on-hand to poke the ball home with a well-placed finish.
With a two-goal lead, Rangers took their foot off the gas, opting to hold possession rather than look for a third. The Light Blues started to push forward again after a period of pressure from the visitors, and it worked in their favour as Sakala grabbed his second of the game to make it 3-0.
Rangers were enjoying lots of possession down Sakala's side of the pitch, and a one-two between the winger and Tavernier sent the defender forward into acres of space. The goalscorer burst into the box to offer an option for the Rangers captain, and Tavernier picked out Sakala who swept the ball home.
Duk pulled a goal back for Aberdeen late on, but it was nothing more than a consolation goal as the Gers advanced to the final of the League Cup.
FIFA 23 predicted final score: Rangers 3-1 Aberdeen
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 23 predicts that Rangers could beat Aberdeen on Sunday, securing their spot in the League Cup final at Hampden Park. Despite registering fewer shots than Aberdeen, the Light Blues were clinical in front of goal, with Fashion Sakala causing trouble down the right.
What do you think the score will be between Rangers and Aberdeen on Sunday? Let us know in the comments!
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