Two teams battling to secure top-six finishes in the Scottish Premiership will clash on Saturday afternoon as Aberdeen host Motherwell at Pittodrie Stadium.
The hosts are fourth in the table with 43 points from 30 matches, while the visitors are seventh in the league standings with 38 points from 30 outings.
Match preview
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Aberdeen have experienced a 2024-25 season that has been split into three very distinct thirds, with the Dons having a superb start, followed by a miserable period and having a recovery in recent weeks.
Saturday's hosts started the campaign with just one defeat from their opening 18 matches across all competitions - with 16 wins and one draw - including a brilliant 16-game unbeaten run at the start of the term.
However, a dismal slump saw the Dons go without a win in their next 12 matches across all competitions, as well as for the next 14 league games, before managing to regain form in recent fixtures.
Jimmy Thelin, in charge since June 2024, has guided Aberdeen to four wins, two draws and one defeat from their last seven outings, helping to strengthen their place in the top six.
The Dons are now fourth in the table with 43 points from 30 league games, after 12 wins, seven draws and 11 defeats, and a win on Saturday could secure their top-six status depending on results elsewhere, as three points could move them eight points clear of eighth with two games remaining.
Their opponents, Motherwell, will be looking to break into the top six in the final three fixtures of the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership campaign, currently trailing sixth-placed Hearts by just one point.
Motherwell have taken 38 points from their 30 fixtures, after 11 wins, five draws and 14 defeats, leaving them one point behind sixth-placed Hearts and only five behind fourth-placed Aberdeen.
The Steelmen recently ended a disappointing six-game losing streak, which featured the shock departure of manager Stuart Kettlewell, but two wins and one draw in their last three has put them back on track.
Michael Wimmer, who was appointed the new permanent boss in February, has taken two wins, one draw and one loss from his four matches, and the manager will be hoping to maintain their strong form in the final three matches of the regular season.
Team News
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Aberdeen are expected to be without Gavin Molloy (shoulder), Jamie McGrath (shoulder), Kristers Tobers and Vicente Besuijen (both unspecified) due to injury issues.
Alfie Dorrington and Mats Knoester are likely to play in central defence in the absence of other players, while Oday Dabbagh and Kevin Nisbet will start in attack.
As for Motherwell, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (wrist), Archie Mair (hand), Jack Vale (Achilles tendon), Paul McGinn (thigh), Ross Callachan (hamstring), Sam Nicholson (knee), Shane Blaney (knee), Steve Seddon (ankle) and Zach Robinson (Achilles tendon) are out with injuries.
Liam Gordon may also be a doubt after coming off injured in the last outing before the international break, meaning Stephen O'Donnell, Kofi Balmer and Dan Casey should start in central defence.
Callum Slattery will likely keep his place in the forward areas after scoring twice in that 2-2 draw with St Mirren, potentially partnered by Lennon Miller and Luke Plange.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Jensen, Dorrington, Knoester, Mackenzie; Shinnie, Palaversa; Morris, Nisbet, Keskinen; Dabbagh
Motherwell possible starting lineup:
Balcombe; O'Donnell, Balmer, Casey; Sparrow, Halliday, Andrews, Thompson; Miller, Slattery, Plange
We say: Aberdeen 2-1 Motherwell
Both teams will be desperate for victories in their fight for a top-six finish, but Aberdeen have avoided defeat against Motherwell at home in the last four meetings, and we expect that to continue with a home triumph.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
