Hampden Park will welcome two sides stuck in the doldrums of the Scottish Premiership on Saturday afternoon, when Hibernian and Aberdeen will lock horns for a place in the final of the Scottish League Cup.
Hibs enter this semi-final clash having failed to pick up a win in their last five matches, while Aberdeen halted their respective winless streak with an enthralling victory at Motherwell last time out.
Match preview
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After eight matches in charge of Hibernian since taking over at the club in late September, Nick Montgomery experienced being booed for the first time by an unhappy Easter Road crowd on Tuesday night, with the hosts surrendering a two-goal lead to ultimately draw against Ross County.
An own goal from Ben Purrington and a strike from Jair Tavares had Hibs in a commanding position after 55 minutes, but the visitors were able to stage an unlikely comeback in the final stages of the second period, with Allan Delferiere putting the ball into his own net before Jordan White levelled the contest.
The Edinburgh-based club are currently enduring a five-game winless run in the Scottish Premiership, and their most recent victory in any form was a 4-2 success over St Mirren in September, when Montgomery's men punched their ticket to the semi-finals of the League Cup courtesy of a late Martin Boyle brace.
With Hibs confirming that they are in initial talks with American businessman Bill Foley for a minority stake in the football club, everyone at Easter Road will be wanting to impress their potential new investor from across the pond with their first major trophy since the Scottish FA Cup triumph in 2016.
Striker Adam Le Fondre moved all the way back from Australia to be part of Hibernian's journey this season, and the former Reading and Bolton Wanderers marksman currently leads the club's Golden Boot race after finding the net on three occasions in 11 Premiership appearances.
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Following a winless October which saw them slip further down the Premiership standings and hinder their chances of progressing in the Europa Conference League, Aberdeen commenced their busy November schedule with a resounding success on Wednesday night, beating Stuart Kettlewell's Motherwell at Fir Park.
The visitors raced into a four-goal lead thanks to a brace from Jamie McGrath alongside strikes from Nicky Devlin and Duk, and although the hosts managed to net two consolation goals in the final stages through Theo Bair and Mika Biereth, the Reds were able to hold on for their third win of the league season.
Battling simultaneously on the domestic and continental stages at the beginning of the term, Aberdeen have done brilliantly to navigate ties with Stirling Albion and Ross County to seal their spot in the final four, with Barry Robson's men now seeking to lift the League Cup for the first time since 2014.
With a potential final clash against a Rangers side who are still getting used to the management of Philippe Clement, both Hibs and Aberdeen will be sensing a real opportunity as their team coaches pull up to the home of Scottish football on Saturday afternoon, with both sides 180 minutes away from glory.
Team News
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Hibernian boss Montgomery opted to rest a number of his first-team stars on Tuesday night ahead of this weekend's showdown at Hampden, meaning the likes of Boyle, Jordan Obita and Joe Newell will regain their spots in the starting XI.
With David Marshall showing signs of fatigue in recent league matches, Hibs fielded former Charlton Athletic stopper Joseph Wollacott in between the sticks against Ross County, but the 38-year-old will play from the off on Saturday.
Hibs remain without the services of Chris Cadden and Jake Doyle-Hayes due to Achilles and ankle issues respectively, while Harry McKirdy is still out because of heart problems.
Aberdeen are expected to be without winger Shayden Morris on Saturday, with the 21-year-old last featuring during the 2-0 loss against this weekend's opponents on September 3.
Another Reds player suffering with a hamstring issue is New Zealand international James McGarry, who is yet to get going following a summer switch from Central Coast Mariners in the A League.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Miller, Fish, Bushiri, Obita; Tavares, Jeggo, Newell, Youan; Boyle, Le Fondre
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Roos; Devlin, Gartenman, Rubezic, Jensen, MacKenzie; Polvara, Shinnie, Clarkson, McGrath; Miovski
We say: Hibernian 1-0 Aberdeen
Hibernian need to recover quickly after an emotionally-draining collapse against Ross County last time out, and the reintroduction of many of their star players should be a massive boost.
Aberdeen have been afforded just two days to prepare for this semi-final clash after a trip to Motherwell on Wednesday, and we believe the Reds will fall narrowly short at Hampden in this one.
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