Aberdeen host Celtic on Sunday afternoon just a week after the visitors wrapped up their fourth Scottish Premiership title in a row.

The Dons have remained in contention all campaign, but despite both clubs sealing their end-of-season positions, pride remains at stake at Pittodrie.

Aberdeen

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Aberdeen's hopes of winning the Scottish Premiership title may have been ended, but the Dons can be proud of their campaign.

Despite having three games to go, they have already achieved six more points than they did last year when they ended the season in third position.

Given Celtic's status in Scottish football, they will struggle to bridge the divide between the two clubs but their days of languishing in the bottom half of the table look long gone.

Last week's 1-0 defeat at Dundee United ended an unbeaten run of seven games, but they haven't suffered a setback at Pittodrie since November.

Derek McInnes's outfit boast a mean defensive record but he requires more input from his forward line with the club only scoring seven goals in as many games.

Second spot has already been secured, but McInnes will already be thinking about next year and three points against the champions would help them return in August on a positive note.

Recent form: DWWWWL

Celtic

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Celtic may have secured their fourth successive league title but boss Ronny Deila will demand that his team keep performing until the end of the season.

The Bhoys are unable to beat last season's total of 99 points, but three more victories would see them record their second-best points tally in 11 years.

Last month's defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup would have created some doubt within the squad, but they have delivered an excellent response to win three games in a row.

In fixtures against both of the Dundee clubs, the Glasgow giants have scored 10 times and conceded just one goal.

Leigh Griffiths has been in superb form in recent weeks with seven goals being recorded in four league games, including two hat-tricks against Kilmarnock and Dundee United.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man faces competition to remain in the side but alongside Stefan Johansen, he has emerged as one of Celtic's key men.

Recent form: WDWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): DWLWWW

Team News

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McInnes could be without midfielder Peter Pawlett after he suffered a head injury last weekend.

Pawlett was competing in his first game since being restored to the starting lineup, but he faces the prospect of missing the visit of Celtic with Cammy Smith a possible replacement.

Deila is likely to resist the temptation of making changes to his side as he targets another victory over their nearest challengers.

James Forrest and John Guidetti are two players pushing for a recall, but they may have to settle for a place on the bench.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Brown, Logan, Taylor, Reynolds, Considine, McGinn, Flood, Jack, Hayes, Smith, Rooney

Celtic possible starting lineup:
Gordon, Ambrose Emuobo, Denayer, van Dijk, Izaguirre, Bitton, Brown, Commons, Johansen, Mackay-Steven, Griffiths

Head To Head

Celtic dominate the head-to-head record between the two sides, with 63 victories being registered compared to just the nine for Aberdeen.

Despite spending much of the season towards the top of the standings, Aberdeen have lost their last four against Celtic, but they did record two wins in quick succession in February 2014.

The last match between the two sides saw Celtic run out 4-0 winners at their home ground on March 1.

We say: Aberdeen 1-3 Celtic

Aberdeen will be eager to end their recent poor run against the giants of Scottish football, but Celtic can head into this fixture relaxed now that the title has been secured and that could allow them to produce some of their best football at Pittodrie.

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