Ross County host Aberdeen at the Global Energy Stadium on Wednesday evening, as they are set to clash in the quarter-final of the Scottish League Cup.

It will be the second time the two sides have met in the space of three days, with Aberdeen running out 4-0 winners at Pittodrie on Sunday.

Match preview

Ross County manager Malky Mackay reacts on April 2, 2023 © Reuters

Ross County were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat against Aberdeen last time out, and they definitely deserved to lose on the balance of play, recording just two shots on target in the entire match, while the hosts amassed a total of six.

The Staggies may have put in a disappointing performance at the weekend, but they have otherwise fared pretty well at the start of the Scottish Premiership season, having collected seven points from their opening six games, despite facing tough opposition.

Malky Mackay was probably not expecting to take anything from the games against Celtic and Rangers, and his side came up short in both, but there have been some impressive performances, picking up victories against St Johnstone and Kilmarnock.

To reach this stage of the competition, Ross County beat Airdrieonians 4-3 in what was an enthralling encounter, with Eamonn Brophy netting the winner in extra time, but their task is set to be a lot tougher on Wednesday night.

In their last seven matches against their upcoming opponents, the Staggies have only won once, but Aberdeen have not started the season very strongly, currently sitting 11th in the Scottish Premiership table.

Indeed, the Dons are second from bottom in the league, having taken just five points from their opening six games, and their victory against Ross County on Sunday was their first of the season.

Games have been coming thick and fast for Barry Robson's side, as they have been competing in Europe, losing against Hacken in the final round of qualification for the Europa League, before entering the Europa Conference League at the group stage.

However, the Reds were unable to get a win on the board in their opening game in the competition, despite a spirited performance away against Eintracht Frankfurt, losing 2-1 as Robin Koch netted a second-half winner.

Prior to their win against the Staggies last time out, Aberdeen had been on a four-game losing streak, but Robson will now be hoping his side can start building momentum, after the emphatic victory at the weekend.

The Dons reached the quarter-final after defeating Stirling Albion 2-1 away from home, and they will now be looking to edge one step closer towards winning a trophy they have not lifted since the 2013-14 campaign.

Ross County form (all competitions):

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

Team News

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson on September 21, 2023 © Reuters

Ross County may choose to make a few changes, given that they lost 4-0 against Aberdeen on Sunday, and Brophy could come back into the starting lineup, having scored the winner in the last round, replacing Simon Murray in attack.

Seventeen-year-old centre-back Dylan Smith has featured sporadically this season, assisting the winning goal against Airdrieonians, and he could be given some more game time, considering his side were very poor defensively when he was not named in the squad at the weekend.

As for the Dons, James McGarry suffered a hamstring injury just five minutes into the last match, meaning Robson will need to bring in a replacement at left-wing back, and Jonathan Hayes is the most likely choice.

Otherwise, it seems unlikely the manager will tinker too much with a winning side, and Bojan Miovski is set to keep his place in attack, having scored a brace on Sunday.

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Nightingale, Smith, Leak; Brown, Randall, Turner, Reid, Dhanda; White, Brophy

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Roos; Gartenmann, Rubezic, Jensen; Devlin, Barron, Shinnie, McGarry, McGrath; Miovski, Duk

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We say: Ross County 1-3 Aberdeen

Ross County were on the receiving end of a heavy defeat away against Aberdeen at the weekend, with the hosts dominating the vast majority of the match.

Given that the Staggies have home advantage on Wednesday, they may fare slightly better, but we expect the Dons to book their place in the semi-final.

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Top tip

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