Preview: Aberdeen vs. St Johnstone - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts enter the fray following a goalless draw with Ross County, while visitors St Johnstone make the trip following a defeat to Dundee United.

Match preview

Aberdeen are currently experiencing a bad run of form and manager Jim Goodwin will seek to turn their fortunes around against St Johnstone on Saturday.

The Dons find themselves fourth in the table, though have not won in their last five Scottish Premiership matches which has put them in danger of sliding down the table if poor results continue.

Last time out, Aberdeen had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Ross County despite having 24 shots on goal and dominating proceedings throughout the encounter.

Squad depth is potentially an issue in the North East, something which Goodwin will be keen to see to in the January transfer window.

Nevertheless, Aberdeen will be focused on rectifying their recent slump on Saturday against St Johnstone in order to try and maintain their chances of qualifying for European football.

On the other hand, St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson will also be aiming to generate some momentum to arrest their own malaise which has seen his side record three consecutive defeats.

The Saints have moved down to seventh in the league table and have looked slightly off the pace since the resumption of the Scottish Premiership.

In their most recent outing against Dundee United on Monday, Tony Watt fired home on 81 minutes for the visitors to confirm defeat for St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park.

Despite this, their away form has been significantly better than their exploits at home this season. St Johnstone hold the fourth-best points tally away from their own turf in the entire division, having notched 13 points from 10 matches.

This weekend, Davidson will be hoping for more of the same as his side could leapfrog Aberdeen into fourth if other results in the league fall their way.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

W

L

L

L

L

D

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

D

D

W

L

L

L

Team News

Aberdeen have no fresh injury worries for the visit of St Johnstone and could see Jack MacKenzie return to the matchday squad following his omission from the Ross County match due to a knock.

Jonny Hayes is also ready and available as he returned from an injury as a substitute in the stalemate against Ross County earlier in the week.

Leighton Clarkson and Hayden Coulson look likely to start, while Vicente Besuijen could replace Matty Kennedy on the right flank to offer some alternative attacking impetus.

For the visitors, long-term absentee Chris Kane will be unable to play at Pittodrie due to cartilage damage in his knee.

Murray Davidson is also suffering from a knee issue and is expected to be sidelined for this encounter. Daniel Phillips could keep his place in midfield and be partnered by Irishman Graham Carey.

Jamie Murphy has been in good form of late and is in line to provide creative support behind Stevie May and Nicky Clark in attack.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; McCrorie, Stewart, Scales; Besuijen, Ramadani, Clarkson, Coulson; Lopes, Ramirez; Miovski

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Matthews; McGowan, Gordon, Mitchell; Wright, Phillips, Carey, Brown; Murphy; May, Clark

We say: Aberdeen 1-0 St Johnstone

In a match between two sides who look to be out of sorts, we expect a tight affair that could be decided by a narrow margin at Pittodrie.

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