Preview: Aberdeen vs. Motherwell - prediction, team news, lineups

No other clubs in the Scottish top-flight are currently under as much scrutiny as these two following equally dreadful results.

Match preview

One of the most tumultuous weeks in the recent history of Aberdeen Football Club saw them relieve Jim Goodwin of his duties as manager last weekend.

It was only two weeks earlier they took Rangers to extra time in the League Cup semi-finals, but things have rapidly gone downhill again since.

A 5-0 loss at Hearts was followed up by an utterly embarrassing defeat to sixth-tier Darvel in one of the biggest Scottish Cup upsets of all time.

The club released a statement following the game saying that Goodwin will be given one last chance to repair the damage done since the World Cup when they would face Hibernian a few days later.

Their trip to Easter Road could not have gone much worse though, as Aberdeen were thrashed 6-0 and Goodwin was sacked within 20 minutes of the final whistle.

Barry Robson has taken caretaker charge for now and he oversaw the side in their clash with St. Mirren here at Pittodrie which saw them lose again, by three goals to one.

An incredibly harsh red card inside seven minutes for Ross McCrorie hardly helped matters, but it does mean they have lost nine of their 11 games since the short break for the start of the World Cup.

They now find themselves in the bottom six which would mean they go into the relegation group when the league splits in two, and having the division's worst defence suggests they may struggle to avoid it.

Despite all that, Motherwell are in even more dire straits after a similarly hopeless run of form since the break.

They do have a game in hand, but they are joint-bottom of the league alongside Dundee United having taken just four points from a possible 30 since early December.

A 2-0 defeat at home to St. Johnstone in midweek was another new low and the damning stat which came from it is that their opponents have now won more games (two) at Fir Park than Motherwell have this season (one).

Steven Hammell's job is undoubtedly in huge danger now, as fans have grown discontent with their former players' suitability to manage at this level while also questioning the attitude of the players on the pitch.

Having not been relegated since 1984, the Motherwell faithful are extremely fearful that their time may come this season, and recent form suggests so too.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

W

L

L

L

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

W

D

L

L

L

L

Motherwell Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

L

D

L

L

Motherwell form (all competitions):

D

L

D

W

L

L

Team News

It was a busy end to the transfer window for Aberdeen as they brought in three promising players on loan during deadline day.

Goalkeeper Jay Gorter has come in from Ajax, Dilan Markanday has arrived from Blackburn Rovers, and they also added Watford's Matthew Pollock for the rest of the season.

Vicente Besuijen has gone back to his native Holland to join Excelsior and Christian Ramirez has joined Columbus Crew in MLS having failed to score all season.

Liam Scales will be available for selection again after he missed the midweek fixture through suspension following a red card against Hibs.

Aberdeen may choose to appeal the red card given to McCrorie against St. Mirren, so the right-back may still feature despite his dismissal.

Motherwell were similarly busy in the loan market on deadline day too.

Jon Obika, James Furlong and Jack Aitchison have all joined from English sides and all made their debuts in midweek.

Aitchison played from the start along with Riku Danzaki, who also made his full debut after arriving from Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in Japan earlier in the week.

Sondre Solholm Johansen has left the club to return to his native Norway though.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Lewis; McCrorie, MacDonald, Pollock, Hayes; Shinnie, Ramadani, Clarkson; Kennedy, Miovski, Duk

Motherwell possible starting lineup:

Kelly; McGinn, Johnson, Lamie, O'Donnell; Danzaki, Slattery, Goss; Crankshaw, Van Veen, Aitchison

We say: Aberdeen 1-1 Motherwell

Neither side can buy a win at the moment, so it is hard to imagine there will be much quality on show at either end of the pitch.

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