Aberdeen and Ross County will take to the pitch for the first time in 2023 when they go head to head at Pittodrie in round 20 of the Scottish Premiership on Monday.
Both sides, who head into the new year on a run of four consecutive defeats, will be looking to arrest their slump in form and strengthen their position in the league standings.
Match preview
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Aberdeen continue to struggle for results in the Premiership as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Kilmarnock when the sides squared off at Rugby Park last Wednesday.
Despite seeing less than 40% of the ball possession and being on the back foot for most of the game, Scott Robinson and Joe Wright scored against the run of play to hand the hosts a two-goal advantage before Matthew Kennedy pulled one back with a 91st-minute strike.
Aberdeen have now lost each of their last four matches since a 1-0 victory over Dundee United on November 12 — their longest run of consecutive defeats since losing five straight in October 2021.
This poor run of results has seen Jim Goodwin's men fall to fourth place in the Scottish Premiership table, level on 25 points with fifth-placed St. Mirren after 19 rounds of matches.
While the Dons will be looking to stop the rot, Sunday's game sees them go up against a Ross County side who are unbeaten in each of the last five meetings between the teams, stretching back to a 2-0 loss in December 2020.
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Malky Mackay's side were also left empty handed last time out when they suffered a 3-0 thrashing versus Dundee United in a bottom-of-the-table clash at Tannadice.
In a game where Owura Edwards received his marching orders, a first-half own goal from Connor Randall and second-half strikes from Charlie Mulgrew and Craig Sibbald saw the Terrors pick up their fourth win of the season.
Like Monday's hosts, Ross County head into the new year on a run of four consecutive defeats in the league, scoring two goals and shipping eight since a 2-0 victory at Hibernian on November 8.
Heading into the second half of the season, the Staggies have picked up just four wins, three draws and lost 12 of their 19 matches to collect 15 points and sit rock-bottom in the Premiership table.
Team News
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Aberdeen will take to the pitch without English defender Anthony Stewart, who is currently suspended after picking up a straight red against St. Mirren in their Boxing Day clash.
In his absence, Jack Mackenzie partnered with Liam Scales and Ross McCrorie in defence against Kilmarnock last time out and we expect the same back three on Monday.
On the injury front, 25-year-old forward Callum Roberts remains ruled out for the hosts as he continues his long road to full fitness after coming off injured back in August.
Ross County also have their fair share of suspension issues as Edwards will sit out Monday's game after picking up a red card in the midweek defeat to Dundee United.
Former Charlton Athletic defender Ben Purrington has missed the last eight matches after sustaining an ankle problem against Dundee United on October 15 and is also out of contention for the visitors.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Roos; McCrorie, Scales, Mackenzie; Kennedy, Barron, Ramadani, Duncan, Coulson; Miovski, Duk
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall; Harmon, Iacovitti, Watson; Callachan, Tillson; Dhanda, Loturi, Akio; White
We say: Aberdeen 2-0 Ross County
On a run of four straight defeats, Aberdeen and Ross County will head into Monday's clash in search of a morale-boosting as they look to begin the new year on a high. Aberdeen are one of the most dominant sides at home this season and we are backing them to end their winless run against the Staggies.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
