Ross County and Aberdeen are set to meet at the Global Energy Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a matchday 32 showdown in the Scottish Premiership.
The hosts are equally four points from the drop zone and the top six, while the visitors have already secured their place in the top half of the standings.
Match preview
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Ross County, after placing sixth in the Scottish Premiership table, have experienced difficult seasons in the last two years, finishing 11th in both 2022-23 and 2023-24.
The Staggies were able to secure their survival in the top flight on both occasions, narrowly defeating Partick Thistle on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw in 2022-23 and thrashing Raith Rovers 6-1 in 2023-24.
Don Cowie would have been aiming to steer the side clear of a third successive appearance in the relegation playoff final this term, but the Staggies are still in contention with at least two matches remaining of the season.
Ross County are currently ninth in the table with 35 points from 31 games, leaving them just four above 11th-placed Dundee, though they are equally four points outside of the top six.
Challenging matchups with Aberdeen and St Mirren will define whether Ross County compete in the bottom six or top six after the season splits, and Cowie will be eager for his side to jump into the top half.
The Dons are sure to provide a tough challenge for Ross County, though, with Aberdeen heading into this encounter having won five, drawn two and lost only one of their past eight games.
Jimmy Thelin's men initially made a superb start to the campaign - remaining unbeaten in their opening 11 league games - before miserably failing to win any of the next 14 league matches.
However, they have been able to bounce back and recover in recent weeks, with their results enabling them to ensure a top half finish in the Scottish Premiership.
The Dons are fourth in the table and eight points clear of seventh-placed St Mirren, but they will still be looking to maintain their strong form into the post-split campaign as they look to secure their place in European football.
Aberdeen have been the dominant team in this clash in recent years, losing only one of their last 10 meetings across all competitions - alongside six wins and three draws.
Team News
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The hosts are expected to be without the services of Aidan Denholm (hamstring), Michee Efete (Achilles tendon), Ryan Leak (Achilles tendon) and Will Nightingale (unspecified) due to injury issues.
A similar defence that has started in prior matches is expected to be named here, while changes could be made in attack as they aim to end a run of just one goal in their past four games.
As for the visitors, Dimitar Mitov (shoulder), Gavin Molloy (shoulder), Jamie McGrath (shoulder), Kristers Tobers (unspecified), Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) and Vicente Besuijen (unspecified) are expected to miss out through injury.
Kevin Nisbet has been in hot form for Aberdeen in the past weeks, scoring seven goals in his last eight appearances, and the striker is likely to spearhead an attack featuring Jeppe Okkels, Pape Habib Gueye and Topi Keskinen in this one.
Ross County possible starting lineup:
Amissah; Tomkinson, Lopata, Campbell; Wright, Randall, Nisbet, Harmon; Chilvers, Hale, White
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Jensen, Dorrington, Knoester, Shinnie; Palaversa, Clarkson; Keskinen, Gueye, Okkels; Nisbet
We say: Ross County 0-2 Aberdeen
Aberdeen's form has significantly improved in recent weeks, and given their impressive record against Ross County, we expect the visitors to win this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
