Preview: Aberdeen vs Celtic - prediction, team news, lineups

Aberdeen and Celtic are set to clash on matchday two of the Scottish Premiership season on Sunday, in a repeat of last season's Scottish FA Cup final.

The Bhoys will be aiming to exact revenge after losing in that final, as the Dons claimed a 4-3 win on penalties following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.

Match preview

After a miserable 2023-24 Scottish Premiership campaign that saw Aberdeen place ninth in the pre-split standings, though they did climb to sixth by the end of the season, the Dons had a significantly improved 2024-25.

Under the guidance of Jimmy Thelin, who took charge in June 2024, the Dons secured a fifth-placed finish in the league, narrowly missing out on the European places on goal difference as they finished joint on 53 points with fourth-placed Dundee United.

However, Aberdeen were given one final opportunity to secure both European qualification and silverware - and the Dons took full advantage, defeating Celtic 4-3 on penalties in the Scottish FA Cup final after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.

Thelin's side have been unable to build momentum from that victory, though, as the Dons are heading into this one having lost three and won just one since their trophy triumph.

That includes a 2-0 defeat to Hearts in their opening match of the Scottish Premiership season, leaving Aberdeen vying for their first points of the term.

Despite besting Celtic in their last meeting, the Bhoys will certainly remain the favourites heading into the encounter, especially as they had won all of the four meetings prior to the Scottish FA Cup final.

The Bhoys may have missed out on one trophy last season, but they certainly maintained their domestic dominance as they lifted their fourth straight Scottish Premiership title and the Scottish League Cup trophy.

Celtic enjoyed a positive pre-season in preparation for a campaign where they will be aiming to continue their control over Scottish football, recording four wins, one draw and just two defeats - including particularly encouraging wins over Sporting Lisbon (2-0) and Newcastle United (4-0).

That momentum was carried into the opening of the new campaign, with Celtic securing all three points against St Mirren thanks to Luke McCowan's 87th-minute winner.

Celtic will now be looking to make it six points from six on Sunday, and having avoided defeat at Pittodrie since February 2016, the Bhoys have every reason to be confident.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form:

Celtic Scottish Premiership form:

Team News

Aberdeen are expected to be without the services of new signing Emmanuel Gyamfi and Kristers Tobers due to ongoing injury issues, though both should return to action in the near future.

A new-look front four featuring summer signings Kusini Yengi, Adil Aouchiche, and Nicolas Milanovic, alongside Topi Keskinen, struggled to make an impact on matchday one, but Thelin may opt to give them more time together on Sunday as they work to build chemistry in the final third.

As for Celtic, Jota is not expected to return to action until at least January due to a cruciate ligament injury, while Kieran Tierney may be dropped to the bench after coming off against St Mirren due to fitness concerns.

Auston Trusty could come into the defence in Tierney's absence, meaning Liam Scales could be pushed to left-back, while Cameron Carter-Vickers and Alistair Johnston should both keep their place in the team.

Further forward, McCowan may come into the starting team after scoring a late winner for Celtic last weekend, while James Forrest could also replace Yang Hyun-Jun in the front three after a difficult match for the winger.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:

Mitov; Jensen, Milne, Knoester, Shinnie; Clarkson, Nilsen; Milanovic, Aouchiche, Keskinen; Yengi

Celtic possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Scales; McCowan, McGregor, Hatate; Forrest, Idah, Maeda

We say: Aberdeen 0-2 Celtic

Other than their Scottish FA Cup final win, Aberdeen have lost five of their last six competitive matches, while Celtic are unbeaten in their last seven league matches.

Given the Bhoys have also avoided defeat at Pittodrie since February 2016, we are backing Brendan Rodgers' men to secure all three points on Sunday.

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