Two teams at opposing ends of the Scottish Premiership table will clash on Saturday when rock-bottom St Johnstone host top-six battling Aberdeen at McDiarmid Park.
The hosts are 12th in the standings with 25 points from 29 games, while the visitors are fourth in the table with 42 points from 29 league outings.
Match preview
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St Johnstone, since placing fifth in 2020-21, have been battling against relegation from the Scottish Premiership in the last three seasons, placing 11th in 2021-22, ninth in 2022-23 and 10th in 2023-24.
The Saints are once again fighting for their survival this campaign, currently placed bottom of the table with just 25 points after 29 games, from seven wins, four draws and 18 losses.
However, their recent upturn in form has given St Johnstone hope of securing their safety, as the Saints now trail 11th-placed Dundee by just three points and 10th-placed Kilmarnock by six points.
Simo Valakari, in charge since October 2024, has led the side to six wins, two losses and one draw from their last nine games across all competitions, leaving them in superb form coming into this one.
However, the Saints will be major underdogs heading into Saturday's clash as they come up against an Aberdeen side that have returned to form in recent weeks.
The Dons started the 2024-25 campaign in sensational fashion, winning 15 and drawing one of their opening 16 games across all competitions, while they were joint top of the table after 11 league fixtures.
Jimmy Thelin's side subsequently suffered an extreme downturn in form, going winless in 12 consecutive games in all competitions, as well as 14 league outings without a victory.
The Dons finally ended that streak by defeating Dundee 2-1 in mid February, and Aberdeen are now heading into this one having won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five.
Those results have seen them climb back into fourth in the Scottish Premiership, with 42 points from 29 fixtures, leaving them six points above seventh-placed Hearts.
Aiming to extend their improved run and strengthen their spot in the top six, with the eventual goal of returning to European football, Aberdeen will be looking to secure another three points on Saturday.
Team News
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The hosts will be without Bozo Mikulic (cruciate ligament), Uche Ikpeazu (unspecified), Sam McClelland (Achilles tendon) and Victor Griffith (ankle) due to ongoing injury issues.
As St Johnstone are heading into this one unbeaten in their last three outings, Valakari may decide to name a similar starting 11 in this one, with Makenzie Kirk continuing in attack.
As for Aberdeen, Ester Sokler (hamstring), Gavin Molloy (shoulder), Jamie McGrath (shoulder) and Vicente Besuijen (unspecified) are all ruled out with injuries.
Oday Dabbagh has scored three goals in five appearances since joining Aberdeen on loan in January, and the forward could partner in-form Kevin Nisbet in attack on Saturday.
St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Fisher; Balodis, Mitchell, Douglas; Curtis, Sprangler, Holt, Wright; Kirk, Sidibeh, Duke-McKenna
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Jensen, Dorrington, Knoester, Shinnie; Morris, Palaversa, Clarkson, Keskinen; Dabbagh, Nisbet
We say: St Johnstone 1-3 Aberdeen
While St Johnstone have hit a strong run of form, the Dons have a favourable recent record in this fixture and will be confident give their return to form, leading us to expect an away victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
