Aberdeen will host Queen's Park at Pittodrie Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their quarter-final matchup in the Scottish Cup.
The hosts defeated Dunfermline 3-0 to progress to this stage, while the visitors unbelievably beat Rangers 1-0 to reach the quarter-finals.
Match preview
© Imago
Aberdeen made a sensational start to the 2024-25 season, remaining undefeated in their opening 16 matches across all competitions, with 15 wins and one draw.
They finally suffered defeat to Celtic in their 17th outing, a miserable 6-0 loss in the Scottish League Cup, and while they initially rebounded with a victory, the Dons subsequently failed to win any of their following 12.
That disappointing run came to an end as they triumphed against Elgin City in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, and they have been significantly improved in the matches since.
Jimmy Thelin's men have now won four, drawn one and lost three of their last eight outings across all competitions, including beating Elgin City and Dunfermline in the previous rounds of this tournament.
The Dons will now be aiming to continue their positive run in the Scottish FA Cup, and Aberdeen will be the favourites to progress into the next stage, as they come up against lower-league Queen's Park.
However, the visitors have already proven to be formidable opponents in this competition, defeating Partick Thistle, Montrose and an impressive win against Rangers in the latest round.
Despite recording a historic triumph against Rangers, Queen's Park have struggled in the subsequent outings, only managing one win, one draw and two defeats in the four games since.
That includes a devastating 3-2 defeat in their most recent fixture, squandering a 2-0 lead to lose against Ayr United in the Scottish Championship, leaving the visitors low on confidence coming into this one.
Queen's Park have also already lost to Aberdeen this season, suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat in the second round of the Scottish League Cup in August.
Team News
© Imago
The hosts are expected to be without Ester Sokler, Gavin Molloy, Jack Milne, Jamie McGrath and Vicente Besuijen due to ongoing injury issues, while Kristers Tobers is also a doubt.
Alfie Dorrington is likely to start instead of Tobers in the middle of defence, alongside Mats Knoester, while Jack Mackenzie and Alexander Jensen are likely to start in full-back positions.
Kevin Nisbet scored twice in Aberdeen's last match, while he also netted against Dunfermline in the last round of this competition, and the striker is expected to start here.
As for Queen's Park, while they have struggled for consistency since the victory over Rangers in the last round, Callum Davidson may opt to return to the side that recorded that historic triumph.
Sebastian Drozd came off the bench to score the winning goal in that outing, and the midfielder may start ahead of Kyle Hurst on the left side of midfield here.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Jensen, Dorrington, Knoester, Mackenzie; Palaversa, Nilsen; Keskinen, Gueye, Okkels; Nisbet
Queen's Park possible starting lineup:
Ferie; Mauchin, Ujdur, Tizzard, Scott; Duncan, Welsh, Turner, Drozd; Longridge, Rudden
We say: Aberdeen 2-1 Queen's Park
While Aberdeen have struggled at times in recent weeks, they are undoubtedly the favourites as they face a faltering Scottish Championship side, leading us to expect a home victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
