Preview: Aberdeen vs. Ross County - prediction, team news, lineups

Aberdeen will look to extend their unbeaten record in the Scottish Premiership to four matches when they play host to Ross County on Sunday afternoon.

While the Dons have impressed during the opening weeks of the campaign, Ross County have collected just one point from their opening three games.

Match preview

© Reuters

As well as collecting seven points from a possible nine in the league, Aberdeen boss Stephen Glass has been determined to qualify for the Europa Conference League group stages.

Having restricted Qarabag FK to a solitary goal in Azerbaijan, the Dons were competitive in the tie until they conceded two early goals in the second leg on Thursday.

The double-whammy effectively ended the fixture as a contest, condemning Aberdeen to an exit which has the potential to drain their momentum on the domestic front.

Despite a home fixture against Ross County being a favourable tie on paper, Aberdeen's players are under pressure to deliver a performance in front of supporters who were left bitterly disappointed earlier this week.

For all of the promising signs displayed since the middle of July, Glass's team have kept just one clean sheet from 10 matches in all competitions.

Ross County have endured a rough start to the campaign, their only wins in seven games coming against Brora Rangers and Montrose in the League Cup.

Although there were positives to take from the 4-2 defeat versus Rangers last week, County have conceded five first-half goals in two games.

Malky Mackay will insist that everything at Victoria Park remains a work in progress, highlighting that the acquisition of Jack Baldwin could improve their fortunes at the back.

Nevertheless, regardless of their tough opening to the season, County are at risk of heading into the international break sitting at the bottom of the table.

Team News

© Reuters

Despite the frustration of Thursday night, Aberdeen boss Glass should keep alterations to a minimum for this encounter.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is an option having replaced Teddy Jenks at half time versus Qarabag, while Dean Campbell and Niall McGinn are in contention for recalls.

Austin Samuels will almost certainly be named on the substitutes' bench after signing on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Having already made four appearances for Bristol Rovers this season, Baldwin is fit enough to make his Ross County debut.

Watford loanee Joseph Hungbo is likely to remain among the replacements, despite making his first outing in the game versus Rangers.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Ramsey, Gallagher, McCrorie, MacKenzie; Brown, Ferguson; Ojo, Emmanuel-Thomas, Hayes; Ramirez

Ross County possible starting lineup:
Laidlaw; Randall, Clarke, Baldwin, Paton; Cancola, Tillson; Charles-Cook, Callachan, Spittal; White

We say: Aberdeen 2-0 Ross County

After the disappointment of Thursday night, it remains to be seen how Aberdeen will react. That said, turning their focus to domestic matters should only benefit them, and we expect a relatively comfortable win for the home side.