Aberdeen and Hibernian will resume their battle to finish as the 'best of the rest' in the Scottish Premiership when they meet at Pittodrie Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts are fifth in the standings with 50 points, trailing their opponents by three points, with the visitors placed third in the table with 53 points.
Match preview
© Imago
Aberdeen's 2024-25 season can be divided into three distinct stages: a sensational start, a disappointing midsection and a strong finish to the regular campaign as they made a return to form.
The Dons, under the guidance of new boss Jimmy Thelin, lost only one of their opening 18 games - with 16 wins and one draw - before embarking on a run of 14 league games without a victory.
Those results saw Aberdeen slip from joint top of the table with Celtic to fourth in the table, at threat of dropping out of the top six entirely, but a return to form at the end of the campaign ensured they secured a fifth-placed finish.
The Dons won four, drew three and lost one of their final eight league fixtures of the regular campaign, leaving them with 50 points and three behind third-placed Hibernian.
Aberdeen will be aiming to overcome that three point deficit and secure the chance at qualification to the Europa League for next season, a competition they have failed to reach the group stage of since competing in the UEFA Cup group stage in 2007-08.
While they ended the regular season on a high, leaving them full of confidence, their opponents experienced a sensational second half of the campaign, with Hibs arguably the best performing side in the closing stages of the regular Scottish Premiership term.
Hibs sat bottom of the table on matchday 16 after recording just two wins and six draws, but a phenomenal run followed, with David Gray's men going undefeated in the following 17 league matches.
Hibernian secured 12 wins and five draws in that time, lifting them to third in the table with 53 points from 33 outings, and they will now be eyeing a place in the Europa League next season.
Their outstanding end to the campaign will undoubtedly give them huge confidence heading into this post-split fixtures, and given they are undefeated against the Dons this term, they have every reason to be full of belief.
Team News
© Imago
Aberdeen will be unable to call upon Gavin Molloy (shoulder), Kristers Tobers (unspecified), Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) and Vicente Besuijen (unspecified) for this match due to injuries.
Alfie Dorrington is also a doubt for Saturday's clash after coming off with an injury in their 2-1 victory over Hearts in the Scottish FA Cup semi-final, meaning Jack Milne could come into the starting 11.
In attack, Oday Dabbagh could be in line for a return to the starting side after scoring the winner in the 118th-minute of that fixture, meaning Topi Keskinen may drop to the bench.
As for the visitors, Hyeok-kyu Kwon (ankle), Joe Newell (groin) and Thody Elie Youan (toe) are all ruled out with ongoing injury problems.
Following a dominant display in the 4-0 victory over Dundee on the final day of the regular season, Gray may decide to name a largely unchanged starting team on Saturday.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Jensen, Shinnie, Knoester, Milne; Palaversa, Clarkson; Morris, Gueye, Dabbagh; Nisbet
Hibernian possible starting lineup:
Smith; Miller, Kiranga, Iredale; Cadden, Triantis, Levitt, Obita; Hoilett; Boyle, Kukharevych
We say: Aberdeen 1-2 Hibernian
Aberdeen have failed to beat Hibernian at home in any of their last four visits, while they have also lost each of the last two clashes, 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
