Two teams in vastly different form will go head-to-head on Saturday afternoon, as the in-form Hibernian welcome struggling Aberdeen to the Easter Road Stadium in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last nine outings across all competitions, while the visitors have failed to win any of their past 13 league fixtures.
Match preview
© Imago
Hibernian's season has been a tale of two extremely different halves up to this point, facing extreme difficulty in the opening stages but hitting a superb run of form over the past weeks.
Hibs started the campaign with just five wins from their opening 21 matches in all tournaments, three of which came in the Scottish League Cup group stage, alongside 10 defeats and six draws.
Those results meant David Gray's side sat bottom of the Scottish Premiership table with only 12 points from 16 fixtures, but a remarkable resurgence over the past weeks has seen Hibs rapidly climb the standings.
Hibernian are now undefeated in their last nine games across all competitions, recording an impressive six wins and three draws, helping them rise away from the drop zone and into sixth.
They only sit above seventh-placed St Mirren on goal difference - both tied on 30 points - meaning Hibs will be hoping to record another victory and strengthen their top-six status on Saturday.
Gray's men should be confident of securing all three points, given their recent form compared to their opponents, who have failed to win any of their past 13 league outings.
Aberdeen's season has similarly been a tale of two halves, starting with an electrifying beginning but now grappling with significant challenges in recent weeks.
Under the management of new boss Jimmy Thelin, who was appointed in June 2024, the Dons made a spectacular start to the term, remaining undefeated in their first 16 fixtures, with 15 wins and one draw.
They eventually lost in their 17th game of the campaign, a humiliating 6-0 loss to Celtic in the Scottish League Cup semi-finals, but initially bounced back with a 4-1 win against Dundee.
Those results meant Aberdeen were joint on 31 points with Celtic at the top of the table after 11 league fixtures, but they now trail the Bhoys by a massive 25 points due to their recent collapse.
The Dons are now heading into this game having failed to record a victory in their last 13 Scottish Premiership fixtures, losing nine and drawing just four, causing them to fall down the table and and into fourth.
Thelin's men now hold just a five-point lead over seventh-placed St Mirren, meaning Aberdeen are in desperate need of points if they are to ensure they remain in the top six as the season progresses.
Team News
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Hibernian are expected to be without Joe Newell (groin), Marvin Ekpiteta (thigh) and Thody Elie Youan (foot) for this match due to ongoing injury issues, with all three likely to return to action next month.
Dylan Levitt scored the only goal in their 1-1 draw with Ross County last weekend but was later forced off due to an injury, meaning the midfielder is a doubt for this one.
Elsewhere, Martin Boyle is likely to continue his partnership with Dwight Gayle in attack, with the striker having netted six goals in his last four appearances.
Aberdeen, on the other hand, are contending with several injury issues to key players, including Dante Polvara (leg), Dimitar Mitov (hamstring), Ester Sokler (hamstring), Gavin Molloy (shoulder), Jack Milne (ankle), Jamie McGrath (shoulder) and Vicente Besuijen (unspecified).
Slobodan Rubezic is also a doubt for this match after coming off with an injury in their last outing, meaning Alfie Dorrington could partner Kristers Tobers in defence.
Pape Habib Gueye has recently returned to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines, and the Dons will be hoping he can regain his pre-injury form, which saw him score six goals in eight matches, on Saturday.
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; O'Hora, Kiranga, Iredale; C Cadden, Triantis, Moriah-Welsh, N Cadden; Campbell; Gayle, Boyle
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Devlin, Tobers, Dorrington, Jensen; Nilsen, Shinnie; Keskinen, Clarkson, Okkels; Gueye
We say: Hibernian 2-0 Aberdeen
The hosts are in fantastic form heading into this one, while the visitors will be completely devoid of belief due to their miserable run, and we expect their struggles to continue with a Hibernian victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
