Aberdeen will attempt to move into the Scottish Premiership European slots this weekend when they welcome Hearts to Pittodrie on Sunday.
Both sides come into this match seeking momentum due to inconsistencies in form, whereas just a point separates them in the league table.
Match preview
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Aberdeen have made a mixed start to proceedings in 2022-23, sitting sixth in the Scottish Premiership ranks on 13 points. Jim Goodwin has cultivated an entertaining brand of football at the helm in the North East, though it has not always yielded winning results on the pitch.
The Dons have been clinical in front of the target, scoring 18 goals in their nine matches which statistically makes them the best offensive side in the league outside of Celtic and Rangers.
Nevertheless, their recent run of performances has been a little patchy of late and has contributed to them sliding down the league table at the expense of others.
Last time out, Goodwin's men were on the receiving end of a concerning 4-0 drubbing by Dundee United, as goals from Aziz Behich, Tony Watt, Jamie McGrath and a Ross McCrorie own goal cemented a disappointing evening at Tannadice last week.
They have only won once in their last four matches, something they will need to address before too long if Aberdeen are serious about contending to qualify for continental football this season.
Facing Hearts may be a feasible chance to regain that winning feeling, with the visitors going through a similar run of fortunes.
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Hearts travel to Pittodrie without a win in their last four matches across all competitions under Robbie Neilson.
Initially, they started the campaign in a promising fashion before losing several key players to long-term injuries such as Craig Halkett, Kye Rowles, Liam Boyce and Michael Smith.
More recently, they have endured a tough time of things in the domestic landscape in Scotland. In their last two league games, Hearts have picked up just one point from six, which required a last-gasp equaliser from defender Nathaniel Atkinson to claim an underwhelming 2-2 draw away to Kilmarnock.
In the week previous, they were beaten 4-0 by Rangers at Tynecastle due to a double from Antonio Colak and efforts from Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent.
Their endeavours in Europa Conference League Group A have not given much joy to their support either, with the Jambos suffering two consecutive defeats to Fiorentina by scorelines of 3-0 at home and 5-1 away in their latest match.
This weekend, Neilson will be desperate to turn the tide and claim a crucial triumph that could propel his side into as high as third place in the Scottish Premiership, depending on other results.
Team News
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Aberdeen have no real injury worries for the visit of Hearts other than winger Callum Roberts, who is still on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Midfielder Connor Barron may make his first start of the campaign after returning to action from the bench in the defeat to Dundee United last week.
For the visitors, defender Nathaniel Atkinson will be out for a spell on the sidelines following his injury sustained away to Fiorentina, which caused him to leave the Artemio Franchi Stadium on crutches. Cameron Devlin will remain suspended due to his straight red card against Rangers.
Quartet Liam Boyce, Kye Rowles, Craig Halkett and Michael Smith will again not partake as they continue to recover from lengthy absences, while Beni Baningime will also not be available for selection.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Roos; Richardson, Stewart, Scales, Coulson; Hayes, Ramadani, McCrorie, Besuijen; Watkins, Miovski
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Sibbick, Kingsley, Cochrane, Halliday; Kiomourtzoglou, Snodgrass; McKay, Forrest, Humphrys; Shankland
We say: Aberdeen 2-1 Hearts
In a game with plenty of significance in the upper reaches of the Scottish Premiership, we expect an entertaining encounter between two teams that will go all out for a victory.
In light of this, Aberdeen will do just enough to edge their opponents and secure an important three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
