Hearts and Aberdeen are set to come together on Saturday afternoon at Hampden Park in the first of the semi-finals in the Scottish Cup.
The Jambos will be hoping for cup success after failing to finish in the Scottish Premiership top six, while the Dons will be aiming to bounce back after squandering a 2-0 lead against Rangers last time out.
Match preview
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Hearts endured an extremely challenging opening to the 2024-25 campaign, as the Jambos failed to win any of their first 10 matches across all competitions - a run that featured the dismissal of Steven Naismith.
The Jambos, after an initial strong start under Neil Critchley, saw their struggles continue until the turn of the year, when Hearts went on a superb run of 10 wins, two draws and two defeats to put themselves in the running for a top six place in the Scottish Premiership, while also booking their spot in the semi-finals of the Scottish FA Cup.
However, a miserable collapse in their final three fixtures - two defeats and a draw - saw the Jambos narrowly miss out on a top six spot on the final day, as St Mirren edged ahead of them by a single point to claim sixth place.
As a result, Critchley's side will compete in the relegation round of the Scottish Premiership, leaving the Scottish Cup as their final opportunity to salvage success this season.
Hearts are without a major trophy since lifting this cup in 2011-12, when they defeated Hibernian 5-1 in the final, but they are no strangers in competing at this stage, finishing as Scottish Cup runners-up three times in the past six campaigns.
The Jambos must first overcome Aberdeen before thinking about another final, but they will face a tough challenge, having won just three times and suffered eight defeats against the Dons in this competition.
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The story of Aberdeen's 2024-25 campaign is a rather unique one, as the Dons started the term undefeated in 16 games, before embarking on a run of 12 winless matches, though they were able to recover in the closing stages of the regular season.
Jimmy Thelin's side closed the Scottish Premiership with only one defeat in their final eight fixtures - alongside four wins and three draws - securing their fifth-placed finish and ensuring their spot in the championship round.
The Dons did end the regular season on a rather sour note though, as they squandered a 2-0 lead to eventually draw 2-2 with Rangers on the final day, with Ianis Hagi equalising in the final minute, meaning Aberdeen dropped below Dundee United on goal difference.
Thelin's men will have to regain their composure heading into the final matches of the campaign, with a potential spot in the Scottish Cup final and the chance to qualify for European competition through the league both at stake.
Aberdeen are also aiming to end a lengthy spell without a major trophy, last triumphing in the Scottish League Cup in 2013-14, and they will have to overcome their recent poor record at this stage of the competition if they are to reach the final and have the opportunity to break that streak, having lost four Scottish Cup semi-finals in the past seven seasons.
These two sides have shared the spoils in their recent meetings, with Hearts securing six wins and Aberdeen taking five victories in their last 15 encounters across all competitions.
Team News
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Hearts will continue to be without Gerald Taylor, who is sidelined with an ongoing knee injury, but the defender is expected to be their only enforced absentee.
Musa Drammeh replaced the suspended James Wilson in their last outing, but the young striker could return for this one, while Lawrence Shankland is also expected to reclaim his starting spot ahead of Jorge Grant.
At the opposite end of the pitch, a similar defensive lineup featuring Adam Forrester, Michael Steinwender, Jamie McCart and James Penrice, with Craig Gordon in goal, is expected to be named.
As for Aberdeen, Dimitar Mitov (shoulder), Gavin Molloy (shoulder), Jamie McGrath (shoulder), Sivert Heltne Nilsen (eye) and Vicente Besuijen (groin) are all unlikely to feature.
Kristers Tobers was initially expected to return against Rangers but was rested to prioritise his recovery for Saturday's semi-final, meaning the defender is a potential inclusion in the squad.
The attacking quartet of Kevin Nisbet, Topi Keskinen, Pape Habib Gueye and Shayden Morris all impressed in the eventual draw with Rangers, and all four should keep their place on Saturday.
Further back the pitch, captain Graeme Shinnie may move into midfield to partner with Leighton Clarkson, paving the way for a back four of Nicky Devlin, Alfie Dorrington, Mats Knoester and Alexander Jensen to start.
Hearts possible starting lineup:
Gordon; Forrester, Steinwender, McCart, Penrice; Kartum, Baningime, Spittal; Shankland, Kabangu, Wilson
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Doohan; Devlin, Dorrington, Knoester, Jensen; Shinnie, Clarkson; Morris, Gueye, Keskinen; Nisbet
We say: Hearts 1-2 Aberdeen
These two sides have been extremely evenly matched in recent meetings, but given Hearts' disappointment of failing to finish in the top six and Aberdeen's upturn in form at the end of the campaign, we believe the Dons will secure a narrow victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
