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Aberdeen logo
Scottish Premiership | Gameweek 17
Dec 9, 2023 at 3pm UK
Pittodrie Stadium
Hearts logo

Aberdeen
2 - 1
Hearts

Miovski (53'), Clarkson (90+2')
Gartenmann (59'), Miovski (65'), McGrath (78')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Shankland (20')
Nieuwenhof (33'), Lowry (41'), Baningime (64'), Kent (65'), Rowles (73'), Denholm (88'), Shankland (90+5')

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

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

After suffering midweek defeats in their latest Scottish Premiership outings, both Aberdeen and Hearts will aim to get back to winning ways when they meet at Pittodrie Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts currently sit inside the relegation zone, with a victory having the potential to get them out of that, while the visitors are in third place at the moment.


Match preview

Aberdeen's Slobodan Rubezic pictured in September 2023© Reuters

Aberdeen's difficult season continued in midweek when they fell short against Kilmarnock, losing their seventh match of the season as Killie provided last-minute heartbreak.

David Watson found the back of the net in the 92nd minute to win the game 1-0, which extended Abderdeen's run without a win to six games in all competitions.

The Dons have now lost half of their Scottish Premiership matches to this point, and home form has played a big factor in that considering they have only won once at Pittodrie Stadium in the league.

Barry Robson will need to start turning the tide soon to try and push Aberdeen out of the current situation, and just one victory could see them escape the relegation zone if other results go in their favour.

The Dons sit just a point behind both St Johnstone and Motherwell, and one weekend could change their fortunes, but they will need to improve their home form to make that happen.

Hearts manager Steven Naismith reacts on October 29, 2023© Reuters

Much like their opponents, Hearts were also defeated 1-0 on Wednesday night when they had a top-of-the-table clash against Rangers, which allowed the Gers to extend the gap between the two teams.

The Jambos now trail them by 11 points, which means that Steven Naismith's focus will likely go on ensuring they try to secure a stronger grip on third place.

It is tight in and around them right now as a defeat could lead to Hearts falling as low as sixth depending on other results, showcasing the need to create some consistent results.

That is not how Hearts have been away from home this season having won three times and lost four, but defensively they have been strong in fixtures on the road which they will want to keep up.

Hearts will take confidence from the fact that they defeated Aberdeen when they met earlier this season, picking up a 2-0 win which they would be happy to replicate.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:


Aberdeen form (all competitions):


Hearts Scottish Premiership form:


Hearts form (all competitions):



Team News

Aberdeen interim manager Barry Robson reacts on February 18, 2023© Reuters

Shayden Morris was brought back into the matchday squad in midweek following his hamstring injury, and he did get some minutes from the bench which could continue this weekend.

Angus MacDonald, Jonny Hayes and Duk were all brought into the starting lineup against Hearts, and considering how tight the game was they could all retain their places.

The visitors were also able to welcome back a previously injured player into the team in midweek as Nathaniel Atkinson came back in.

The Jambos were also boosted by Craig Gordon, Craig Halkett and Barrie McKay all returning to the squad as well, with the trio all pushing towards being fully fit to start again.


Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Roos; Devlin, Gartenman, Rubezic, Jensen; Hayes, McGrath, Clarkson, Shinnie; Duk, Solker

Hearts possible starting lineup:
Clark; Kingsley, Kent, Rowles; Atkinson, Grant, Baningime, Lowry, Cochrane; Shankland, Boyce


SM words green background

We say: Aberdeen 0-2 Hearts

Both teams head into this match on the back of defeats which means they will each be looking to get their seasons back on track.

Aberdeen have been struggling as of late, meanwhile Hearts walk into the game as favourites, and they should be strong enough to take all three points here.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 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.Under 3.5:data


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Written by
Matthew Wilkinson

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Game History

How you voted: Aberdeen vs Hearts

Aberdeen
33.3%
Draw
0.0%
Hearts
66.7%
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Celtic1514104444043
2Aberdeen16104230181234
3RangersRangers1510232791832
4Motherwell168172226-425
5Dundee UnitedDundee Utd166642519624
6St Mirren176382228-621
7Dundee165472729-219
8Kilmarnock174581834-1617
9Hibernian173682129-815
10Ross County173681333-2015
11St Johnstone1742112032-1214
12Hearts1734101826-813


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