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

The visitors sit just above their hosts and have a game in hand, before both sides' first fixture of 2024 - and the last before Scotland's winter break.

Match preview

Having seen two matches cancelled due to bad weather, Ross County were refreshed ahead of their weekend game against Hearts, and they looked on course for three precious points just after the hour mark at Tynecastle.

Yan Dhanda's 25-yard free-kick doubled County's advantage after an own goal had put them in front six minutes earlier; however, Hearts rallied soon after and the visitors ultimately had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Boss Derek Adams was left frustrated by his side's inability to close out a rare away win, but now they return home to Dingwall, where they have picked up 11 of their 18 points so far this season.

After a waterlogged pitch caused the postponement of their previous home fixture, versus Hibernian, and a storm saw a high-profile clash with Rangers called off too, County have slipped down the standings to 11th - albeit with a couple of games in hand on 10th-placed St Johnstone.

Adams will be keen to arrest such a slide in midweek, as victory over ailing Aberdeen would take them above their opponents and move the Highland club closer to mid-table.

A repeat of their 4-0 home win when these clubs last met in September would certainly ease the angst at Aberdeen right now, as the Dons suffered a miserable end to 2023, being beaten 3-0 by St Mirren at Pittodrie.

Going down a goal early on and then conceding twice in the final 15 minutes consigned Barry Robson's men to an eighth defeat in 17 Premiership fixtures, leaving them with a lot of catching up to do - both in terms of points and games played.

Aberdeen have as many as four matches in hand on other several other teams; but having lacked consistency, any thoughts of catching third-placed Hearts and finishing 'best of the rest' behind the Old Firm seem a fanciful proposition as 2024 begins.

A run of three wins from four had previously helped lift the mood, but following back-to-back postponements with a home defeat leaves Robson's side just a point ahead of second-bottom Ross County.

Therefore, their trip to Dingwall - where the Dons remain unbeaten in three league visits - takes on extra significance for under-fire Robson, who faces a fight to preserve his position.

Ross County Scottish Premiership form:

D

W

W

L

L

D

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

D

L

L

W

W

L

Aberdeen form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

W

L

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Team News

Derek Adams will still be without defender Dylan Smith due to an ankle injury, plus long-term absentees Ross Callachan and Ben Paton, but Will Nightingale returns to Ross County's squad having served a suspension at the weekend.

After making the starting XI for the first time since November, English winger Josh Sims will hope to keep his place on Tuesday; midfielder Max Sheaf played 90 minutes on his first start for the club and is also likely to be retained.

Meanwhile, Aberdeen's Jack MacKenzie is still sidelined, but Barry Robson has no other injury concerns: Jonny Hayes recently recovered from a hamstring problem and appeared as a substitute on Saturday.

Dante Polvara is pushing for a place in midfield, alongside Jamie McGrath and captain Graeme Shinnie, but Leighton Clarkson is the man in possession.

Despite his side's setback against St Mirren, Robson is set to persist with his preferred 3-4-1-2 formation, led by in-demand striker Bojan Miovski alongside Cape Verde international Duk, the latter of whom has failed to score in his last seven Premiership outings.

Ross County possible starting lineup:

Laidlaw; Nightingale, Baldwin, Leak; Brown, Sheaf, Allardice, Dhanda, Sims; White, Murray

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Roos; Gartenmann, MacDonald, Jensen; Devlin, McGrath, Shinnie, Hayes; Polvara; Miovski, Duk

We say: Ross County 1-1 Aberdeen

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