Preview: Ross County vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

The Dons have climbed to third in the Scottish Premiership table under interim manager Barry Robson, while the Staggies occupy the dreaded relegation playoff spot.

Match preview

Ross County ended a run of three successive defeats with a much-needed 2-0 victory over St Johnstone last weekend, courtesy of goals from Simon Murray and David Cancola.

Still, Malky Mackay's men remain one point inside the bottom two after 31 games, while Dundee United sit just two points behind the Dingwall outfit, so the threat of relegation still looms large.

It is hardly surprising that Ross County find themselves in a precarious position, as they have lost five of their last seven matches, with a measly three wins coming in their previous 16 league outings.

When you look at the bigger picture, the Staggies have only managed to win seven of their 31 Premiership encounters this season, recording six draws and 18 losses along the way.

Ross County also hold the second-worst home record in the division, having taken just 15 points from a possible 48 at the Global Energy Stadium this term.

Following a run of eight losses in 10 matches - including a humiliating Scottish Cup defeat to sixth-tier Darvel - the Aberdeen hierarchy was left with little choice but to part ways with Jim Goodwin at the end of January.

Since then, the Dons have excelled under the guidance of caretaker manager Barry Robson, claiming six victories in eight Premiership games to cement third place in the standings.

Robson picked up his first win against Motherwell at the start of February before suffering a 4-0 defeat to Celtic, but Aberdeen have taken maximum points from their five matches since then, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

Not only have Robson's men conceded a solitary goal across their previous five outings, but they have also scored 10 in reply, netting three against Dundee United and Hearts before defeating Kilmarnock 2-0 last time out.

Thanks to a brace against Killie, in-form striker Duk has scored five goals across the past four games, taking his tally for the season to 17 goals across all competitions.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

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Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

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Team News

Ross County will be without the midfield duo of Ben Paton and Ross Callachan for the foreseeable future as both players continue to recover from knee injuries.

Yan Dhanda (foot), Ben Purrington (ankle) and Jordan Tillson (groin) also remain on the Staggies' injury list, leaving Malky Mackay with little room to manoeuvre.

Accordingly, the Ross County manager could stick with the same starting XI that ended the three-game losing run last weekend, with Eamonn Brophy and Jordan White spearheading the attack.

As for the visitors, Callum Roberts looks set to remain on the sidelines for the time being as he continues to nurse a muscle injury.

Duk will continue to lead the line for Aberdeen, while Bojan Miovski - who assisted both of Duk's goals against Kilmarnock - will partner the Cape Verde international in attack.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Kelle Roos will aim to notch a fourth straight clean sheet on Friday, with Mattie Pollock, Angus MacDonald and Liam Scales operating in front of the goalkeeper.

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Randall, Smith, Iacovitti; Sims, Loturi, Cancola, Kenneh, Harmon; White, Brophy

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; Pollock, MacDonald, Scales; McCrorie, Duncan, Clarkson, Ramadani, Hayes; Miovski, Duk

We say: Ross County 0-2 Aberdeen

Heading into Friday's clash on a five-game winning streak, Aberdeen look set to secure another clean-sheet victory over Ross County, who are on course to suffer a sixth defeat in eight outings.

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