Preview: Aberdeen vs FC Noah - prediction, team news, lineups

Aberdeen resume the search for their first win of the Conference League campaign when they welcome FC Noah to Pittodrie Stadium on Thursday.

The hosts are 33rd in the standings with just one point from their three fixtures, while the visitors are 17th in the table with four points from three games.

Match preview

Aberdeen have faced a challenging start to the 2025-26 season, with Jimmy Thelin's side only managing to win five of their 19 games across all competitions.

A particularly difficult opening to the campaign saw the Dons fail to win any of their opening six Scottish Premiership fixtures - recording five defeats and one draw - and suffer elimination from the Europa League and Scottish League Cup.

The Dons also suffered a 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in their opening Conference League game, and while they bounced back with consecutive league wins in their next two games, Aberdeen failed to maintain their momentum as they were humiliatingly defeated 6-0 by AEK Athens on matchday two of the league phase.

Despite initially following that loss with another league defeat, 2-1 to Hibernian, Aberdeen's fortunes have seemingly started to improve in the subsequent outings, as Thelin's side have now won two and drawn two of their last four fixtures - including a stunning 1-0 win over current Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts last time out.

The Dons will be hopeful that their improved form will continue with a first victory in the Conference League on Thursday, especially as their results have to quickly improve if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.

While Aberdeen trail the top 24 by two points with three games to go, FC Noah are 17th in the standings and on track to secure their place in the knockout rounds of the competition - something they failed to achieve last term as they crashed out in the league phase.

FC Noah managed only four points from six league phase fixtures last term, and they have already matched that return with three games still to play this time around, giving them a strong chance of securing a top 24 finish.

They kickstarted their campaign by qualifying for the competition with a 7-3 aggregate victory over NK Olimpija in the playoff qualifying round, followed by beating HNK Rijeka (1-0), drawing with Universitatea Craiova (0-0) and losing 2-1 to Sigma Olomouc in the league phase.

That defeat to Sigma Olomouc has coincided with a downturn in form for Sandro Perkovic's side in recent weeks, with FC Noah losing two and drawing one of their last three, a significant downturn on their prior nine-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

Aiming to bounce back from that lacklustre run of results and strengthen their chances of qualifying for the Conference League knockout stages, FC Noah will be looking to take advantage of Aberdeen's struggles in this competition.

Aberdeen Conference League form:

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Aberdeen form (all competitions):

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FC Noah Conference League form:

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FC Noah form (all competitions):

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Team News

Aberdeen will be without the services of Alfie Dorrington, Ante Palaversa, Kristers Tobers and Sivert Heltne Nilsen for this match due to ongoing injury issues.

After their fantastic win against Hearts at the weekend, Thelin could field an unchanged starting side against FC Noah.

Topi Keskinen scored the winning goal in that game, and the forward could continue in attack alongside Stuart Armstrong and Marko Lazetic, with Adil Aouchiche and Dante Polvara in slightly deeper midfield roles.

Meanwhile, FC Noah are anticipated to remain without forward Goncalo Gregorio until at least December due to a knee injury, while the rest of their squad should be available.

Nardin Mulahusejnovic has scored all three of FC Noah's goals in the league phase of the Conference League, and the away side will be relying on the striker to make the difference once again here.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Devlin, Milne, Knoester; Lobban, Aouchiche, Polvara, Jensen; Keskinen, Armstrong; Lazetic

FC Noah possible starting lineup:

Fayulu; Boakye, Saintini, Muradyan, Sualehe; Ferreira, Oshima, Eteki, Manvelyan, Sangare; Mulahusejnovic

We say: Aberdeen 2-1 FC Noah

Aberdeen may have underwhelmed in the Conference League thus far, but the Dons are enjoying a greater run of form in recent weeks and will be full of confidence after defeating Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts last time out.

Meanwhile, FC Noah have seen their form take a turn for the worse in recent outings, leading us to expect a victory for the home side.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.