Aberdeen, looking to end a five-game winless run, are set to host relegation-threatened Hibernian at Pittodrie Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are second in the standings with 34 points from 16 games, while the visitors are sitting ninth in the table with 15 points from 17 fixtures.
Match preview
© Imago
After a remarkable start to the season for Aberdeen, their campaign has threatened to be derailed in recent weeks with an ongoing run of five matches without a victory.
The Dons impressively avoided defeat in all of their opening 16 matches across all competitions, securing 15 wins and one draw in that time, leaving them neck-and-neck with Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.
Jimmy Thelin's side did eventually fall to defeat in their 17th outing of the campaign, a humiliating 6-0 demolition at the hands of Celtic in the Scottish League Cup semi-final.
Aberdeen did initially bounce back from that loss with a confidence-boosting 4-1 victory over Dundee, but they have since failed to win any of their next five matches, losing two and drawing three.
These results have allowed third-placed Rangers to close the gap to just two points, with Aberdeen also having played one game more than the Gers, while it also leaves them now nine points behind Celtic.
Desperately looking to end their winless run and put their season back on track, Thelin's men will host a Hibernian side that have appeared to hit form in recent games.
Hibs initially started the 2024-25 season with just one victory in their first 14 league fixtures, alongside seven losses and six draws, but they are now heading into this one with two wins and one loss from their last three.
Those wins came against Motherwell (3-0) and Ross County (3-1) sandwiched around an expected loss to Celtic (3-0), results that have seen Hibs climb from the bottom of the table to ninth.
David Gray's side do only hold a two-point lead over 12th-placed Hearts, leaving the visitors hopeful of securing back-to-back league victories for the first time since December 2023 as they aim to widen the gap over relegation.
Team News
![Hibernian Manager David Gray during the Premier Sports Cup Group C match at Easter Road, Edinburgh UK against Peterhead on July 27, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/david-gray.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Hibernian Manager David Gray during the Premier Sports Cup Group C match at Easter Road, Edinburgh UK against Peterhead on July 27, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
Aberdeen are set to be without Dimitar Mitov (hamstring) and Pape Habib Gueye (muscle) for this match due to ongoing injuries, with neither expected to return until the new year.
Jack MacKenzie is also a doubt having failed to appear since a 3-3 draw with Hibs at the end of last month, meaning James McGarry could keep his place in the side.
As for Hibs, Kieron Bowie (hamstring), Marvin Ekpiteta (thigh), Mykola Kukharevych (groin) and Rudi Molotnikov (groin) are all ruled out with injury issues.
After securing two wins from their last three matches, Gray may decide to name a similar side for this one, with Dwight Gayle and Thody Elie Youan leading the line.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Milne, Rubezic, Molloy, McGarry; Shinnie, Nilsen; Morris, Clarkson, McGrath; Sokler
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; O'Hora, Kiranga, Iredale; C Cadden, Triantis, Newell, N Cadden; Hoilett; Gayle, Youan
We say: Aberdeen 1-2 Hibernian
Aberdeen are enduring a difficult period as they head into this one without a win in their last five, while Hibernian are boosted by two wins from their last three, leading us to believe the visitors will snatch a narrow victory in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
