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Aberdeen logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 33
Feb 20, 2021 at 3pm UK
Pittodrie Stadium
Kilmarnock logo

Aberdeen
1 - 0
Kilmarnock

Hendry (21')
McGinn (51')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Dabo (40'), McGowan (62')

Preview: Aberdeen vs. Kilmarnock - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Scottish Premiership clash between Aberdeen and Kilmarnock, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two out-of-form teams face one another in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday afternoon as Aberdeen host Kilmarnock.

The Dons and Killie have managed just two wins from 19 matches combined since the turn of the year, and both sides are still looking for their first three points in February.


Match preview

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes pictured in November 22, 2020© Reuters

Aberdeen's search for a league goal continues as they narrowly lost 1-0 away at Celtic on Wednesday night, setting a new club-record of six games without a goal.

David Turnbull's long-range strike proved enough for the Hoops to claim all three points on home soil against a Dons side that felt they should have been awarded a penalty after the ball struck the hand of Stephen Welsh inside the area.

Derek McInnes was "extremely encouraged" by some of his team's attacking play despite losing their eighth Scottish Premiership match of the season, with new signings Fraser Hornby and Florian Kamberi showing signs of their attacking threat in the final third.

Aberdeen have now won just one of their last 10 league games and remain four points behind Hibernian in the race for third, having played a game more.

The Dons do have a good record against Kilmarnock, having lost just one of their last 27 league meetings against them and winning both encounters this season without conceding a goal.

Victory for Aberdeen on Saturday would see them remain in fourth and move one point behind Hibs if they were to lose at home to Hamilton.

St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright pictured in January 2016© Reuters

Kilmarnock lost their seventh successive league match as table toppers Rangers beat them 1-0 at Ibrox last weekend.

Ryan Jack's superb first-half volley from 25 yards was the only goal in what was a tight and lacklustre encounter, which saw the Gers hold on for all three points.

Tommy Wright's side have now lost 11 league matches on the road - more than any other side in the Scottish Premiership so far this campaign - and sit just one point above basement club Ross County, having played a game more.

Kilmarnock head to Pittodrie having failed to score in six of their last seven league games against Aberdeen, with four of those meetings away from home.

Former St Johnstone boss Wright has had previous success against the Dons and is unbeaten in his last three league visits to Aberdeen; the 57-year-old is also looking to win back-to-back league games at Pittodrie for the first time since October 2015.

A win for Killie away from home for the first time since December 30 would see them move four points ahead of Ross County, who they face in two weeks.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form: DDLLDL

Kilmarnock Scottish Premiership form: LLLLLL


Team News

Lewis Ferguson pictured for Aberdeen in April 2019© Reuters

Aberdeen defender Michael Devlin is still out of action with an ankle injury, while Ryan Hedges is sidelined for the rest of the season with a muscle problem.

After impressing boss McInnes in midweek, strikers Hornby and Kamberi are set to partner one another again up front, with Callum Hendry an option on the bench.

Kilmarnock remain without key defensive duo Kirk Broadfoot (knee) and Stuart Findlay (ankle), who are both suffering with injuries, while left-back Calum Waters is also out with a groin strain.

New signing Kyle Lafferty, who joined the club on a short-term deal last week, could be in contention to feature but is unlikely to start the match.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Hoban, Considine, Taylor; Kennedy, Campbell, Ferguson, McCrorie, Hayes; Kamberi, Hornby

Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Doyle; McGowan, Dikamona, Medley, Haunstrup; Tshibola, Mulumbu, Dicker; Burke, Kabamba, Kiltie


SM words green background

We say: Aberdeen 1-0 Kilmarnock

As both sides have failed to score in their last four matches, this weekend's encounter is unlikely to see a goal-fest at Pittodrie. Aberdeen were able to edge out Kilmarnock in both of their previous meetings earlier this campaign, and we expect the host to do the same on Saturday.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



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Written by
Oliver Thomas

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Aberdeen win with a probability of 55.25%. A draw had a probability of 24.6% and a win for Kilmarnock had a probability of 20.13%.

The most likely scoreline for an Aberdeen win was 1-0 with a probability of 13.21%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (10.81%) and 2-1 (9.52%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.62%), while for a Kilmarnock win it was 0-1 (7.1%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 13.2% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 1-0 win for Aberdeen in this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Aberdeen vs Kilmarnock

Aberdeen
62.5%
Draw
15.0%
Kilmarnock
22.5%
40
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Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes pictured in November 22, 2020
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1614204444044
2RangersRangers1611232891935
3Aberdeen17104331211034
4Motherwell178272327-426
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd176742519625
6St Mirren187382429-524
7Dundee175482730-319
8Hibernian184682430-618
9Kilmarnock184681935-1618
10Hearts1844102027-716
11Ross County183691435-2115
12St Johnstone1842122134-1314


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