Aberdeen, battling to finish as the 'best of the rest' in the Scottish Premiership, will welcome champions Celtic to Pittodrie Stadium on Wednesday night.
The hosts are fourth in the table and three points behind third-placed Hibernian, while the visitors have already been crowned champions as they boast a 17-point lead at the top of the standings.
Match preview
© Imago
Aberdeen made a stunning start to the 2024-25 season, as newly appointed manager Jimmy Thelin remained unbeaten in his first 16 matches, securing 15 wins and one draw.
However, that form would not continue, as Aberdeen embarked on a shocking spell of just two wins in the following 17 matches, including a 14-game winless run in the league.
Aberdeen, facing the threat of dropping out of the top six entirely, regained their form in the final matches of the regular season, securing four wins, three draws and one defeat in the league, while also booking a spot in the Scottish FA Cup final - which they will contest at the end of the month with Wednesday's opponents.
While that momentum carried into their opening post-split fixture, a 1-0 win against Hibernian, the Dons have since suffered back-to-back defeats, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Rangers at the weekend.
Those results leave Aberdeen sitting fourth in the Scottish Premiership, just three points behind Hibernian in the Europa League qualifying spot and narrowly three points ahead of fifth-placed Dundee United.
Aiming to regain their winning momentum and secure their position in the European spots, Aberdeen will look to claim all three points against a Celtic side that has little left to play for in the league.
After Aberdeen's slump following matchday 11, Celtic never appeared likely to relinquish top spot, continually extending their lead and ultimately securing the title with a commanding 5-0 victory over Dundee United in the first post-split fixture.
That title victory saw the Bhoys secure their 55th league title, equalling Rangers' record, and they are still in the hunt for a remarkable sixth domestic treble in the last nine seasons, with the upcoming Scottish FA Cup final to come after already lifting the Scottish League Cup.
Although Brendan Rodgers's side have already been crowned champions, the Bhoys will be eager to maintain their positive momentum ahead of the Scottish FA Cup final.
Celtic have been the dominant force in this fixture, with the Bhoys remaining undefeated against the Dons since May 2018, amassing 24 wins and five draws in that time.
Team News
© IconSport
Aberdeen are anticipated to be without Gavin Molloy, Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Vicente Besuijen for this match, while Ester Sokler has been ruled out until the end of the season.
The Dons endured a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Rangers in their last match, which could mean Thelin opts to make several changes to his starting 11, potentially bringing players such as Pape Habib Gueye and Kevin Nisbet back into the lineup.
As for Celtic, Alistair Johnston and Cameron Carter-Vickers are ruled out for this match, while Jota will miss the remainder of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Kasper Schmeichel returned to the team for the first time since March last time out, and the goalkeeper should retain his place between the sticks, with Anthony Ralston, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Greg Taylor likely to start in defence.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Jensen, Tobers, Knoester, Shinnie; Polvara, Clarkson; Keskinen, Gueye, McGrath; Nisbet
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Ralston, Trusty, Scales, Taylor; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Maeda
We say: Aberdeen 1-2 Celtic
Aberdeen are in desperate need of all three points as they continue battling for a European place, but given Celtic's dominance in this fixture and strong form heading into the clash, we expect an away win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
