Aberdeen will be aiming to push themselves into the European places this weekend as they welcome Kilmarnock to Pittodrie Stadium.
While the home side are currently situated in seventh position, their opponents Kilmarnock will be looking to move up the ladder as they sit in 11th place in the Scottish Premiership table, occupying the relegation playoff spot.
Match preview
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Aberdeen have been in mixed form in 2022-23, with three wins, three losses and one draw from their first seven fixtures.
In the Dons' last outing, disappointment was ultimately in store as they suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Hibernian.
Though Aberdeen did take the lead thanks to a Luis Lopes header, the hosts took control of the match and ran out convincing winners owing to a Martin Boyle penalty and a double from midfielder Josh Campbell.
Regardless, there is a feeling in the North-East that Jim Goodwin is steadily building a talented side that is capable of playing an attractive style of football.
In terms of chances converted, Aberdeen have been the best in the league outside of Celtic and Rangers, registering 14 goals across their league matches.
Striker Bojan Miovski has been in electric form, putting himself fourth in the Scottish Premiership scoring charts with five efforts so far.
Going into this weekend, the Dons will be aiming to continue their excellence in front of goal against a Kilmarnock side with defensive frailties.
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As for visiting side Kilmarnock, they will be desperate to gain some much-needed ground in the league standings following a difficult start to life in the Scottish Premiership since gaining promotion last campaign.
They have picked up four points so far from their completed fixtures, with their only triumph coming in a 2-1 win over Motherwell in late August. Other than their 1-1 opening day draw against Dundee United, they have failed to put any other points on the board despite their best efforts.
In three of their last four matches, they have lost by a score of 1-0 despite being relatively competitive in these games.
However, their lack of potency has cost them dearly and given them the unwanted record of having the joint-fewest goals scored in the 2022-23 Scottish Premiership alongside Dundee United.
Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes will be hoping for an improvement on Saturday, in what will be his first visit to Pittodrie in the away dugout since leaving Aberdeen in 2021 after eight successful years of service.
Despite his fondness for his former club, the 51-year-old would love nothing more than a result to take on the long journey back home.
Team News
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Aberdeen will be without defender Liam Scales for the visit of Kilmarnock, as the Irishman is ruled out due to suspension after being booked consecutively and subsequently being sent off away to Hibernian last time out.
Callum Roberts will miss the fixture on Saturday due to a hamstring issue sustained against St Mirren in August, which is still troubling the forward, whereas youngster Connor Barron is back in training. Still, the Kilmarnock tie will come too soon for the midfielder as he steps up his recovery from injury.
In terms of Kilmarnock, it is unclear for the visitors whether Kyle Lafferty will be involved at Pittodrie following his withdrawal from international duty with Northern Ireland over his conduct off the pitch.
Former Aberdeen star Ash Taylor could come back into the team after serving his suspension, whilst Scott Robinson may remain on the sidelines owing to an Achilles injury.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Roos; Richardson, Stewart, Milne, Coulson; Besuijen, Ramadani, McCrorie, Hayes; Lopes, Miovski
Kilmarnock possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Wright, Taylor, Dorsett; Alebiosu, Polworth, Power, Chrisene; Jones, McKenzie; Doidge
We say: Aberdeen 2-0 Kilmarnock
Both sides have a point to prove at the weekend as they look to move up the Scottish Premiership ranks, creating an intriguing game at Pittodrie with plenty at stake.
In the end, Aberdeen should be expected to prevail in routine fashion. With plenty of potency running through the home side, they will inevitably have too much for the visitors who are struggling in the final third of the pitch and looking low on confidence.
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