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

At a time when the home side occupy seventh position in the Scottish Premiership standings, the visitors are in bottom spot and without a win.

Match preview

On the back of six matches without success, Aberdeen seemed to have well and truly lost any momentum from last season, yet their 2-1 reverse to Eintracht Frankfurt has acted as the catalyst for a revival.

Wins over Ross County on two separate occasions in the space of three days set up Aberdeen to register a surprise 3-1 triumph away at Rangers last weekend.

The Dons remain in the bottom half of the table, highlighting their previous struggles, but momentum was retained when they earned a 1-1 draw with HJK Helsinki in the Europa Conference League on Thursday.

Barry Robson's side realistically required all three points if they are to mount a sustained charge for qualification for the knockout stages, yet they came from behind to earn a point versus the Finnish giants.

Aberdeen now turn their attention to trying to make up further ground in the top flight, particularly this weekend when St Mirren and Rangers - the second and third-placed teams - face each other.

Robson will feel that this is the perfect fixture for his side given that St Johnstone have not won a game in any competition since July 22.

Only six weeks have passed since they earned a surprise goalless draw at the home of Celtic, yet they have not followed that up with a much-needed victory.

To their credit, the Saints have not conceded more than twice in any of their league games in 2023-24, while each of their three goals have been netted since the beginning of September.

Nevertheless, despite salvaging a 1-1 draw against Livingston last time out, Steven MacLean is aware of the need to get maximum points on the board as soon as possible.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

L

L

W

W

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

L

L

W

W

W

D

St Johnstone Scottish Premiership form:

L

D

D

L

L

D

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Team News

Having been recalled for the European clash in midweek, Duk will hope to retain his spot in the Aberdeen attack alongside Bojan Miovski.

Dante Polvara had been used against Rangers, but the American appears likely to remain on the substitutes' bench for the second game running.

Angus MacDonald and Jonny Hayes are options in defence and the final third if Robson wishes to introduce fresh legs.

MacLean will have to make at least one change to his St Johnstone XI after defender Liam Gordon was sent off during the latter stages against Livingston.

Sam McClelland will be recalled as a straight replacement, while Stevie May may get the nod over Luke Jephcott in attack.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; Devlin, Gartenmann, Rubezic, Jensen, MacKenzie; Shinnie, Clarkson, McGrath; Miovski, Duk

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Gordon, Considine, Robinson; Wright, Phillips, Sprangler, Carey; Kucheryavyi; Costelloe, Jephcott

We say: Aberdeen 2-0 St Johnstone

Although Aberdeen worked hard to salvage a draw in Europe, this is an ideal fixture for them. St Johnstone's lack of goals may prove telling, leaving us to predict a hard-earned victory for the Dons.

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