Aberdeen will welcome Dundee United to Pittodrie Stadium on Saturday evening, looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 Scottish Premiership season.
The hosts sit second in the table, joint on 22 points from eight games with first-placed Celtic, while the visitors are fourth in the table with 15 points from eight fixtures.
Match preview
Aberdeen have had a simply sensational start to the 2024-25 season, winning their first 13 matches across all competitions before finally dropping points for the first time this campaign with a 2-2 draw against Celtic in the last outing.
That strong start to the campaign stands in sharp contrast to their difficult 2023-24 season, during which they went through three managers, Barry Robson, Neil Warnock, and Peter Leven, and ultimately finished ninth in the pre-split table
Leven, who served as interim manager for the final games of the season, did manage to oversee an improvement in form during the post-split fixtures, achieving four wins and one draw, which propelled the team to sixth in the standings.
Jimmy Thelin was eventually appointed as the permanent boss ahead of the 2024-25 term, and the Swede has continued that post-split form with Aberdeen having a phenomenal start to the season.
It looked as though their unbeaten record would come to an end when they trailed Celtic 2-0 after 27 minutes in their last fixture, but the Dons brilliantly recovered with goals in the 50th and 60th minutes to secure a 2-2 draw.
Now looking to get back to winning ways, Aberdeen will face another tough challenge as they host fourth-placed Dundee United, a matchup that has not taken place since March 2023.
The Tangerines have enjoyed a fantastic beginning to their first campaign back in the top flight after securing their promotion from the Scottish Championship as champions last season.
Jim Goodwin's men initially drew back-to-back matches against rivals Dundee and Ross County, followed by two successive wins against St Johnstone and Hearts.
A narrow 1-0 defeat to Rangers, followed by a loss to Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup, threatened to derail their league form, but they have quickly bounced back with a draw and two wins in their last three outings.
Their most recent victory against Hibernian was particularly thrilling, with Dundee Utd trailing 2-1 after 90 minutes before dramatically scoring two goals in the 93rd and 99th minutes to secure a win.
Dundee Utd have been at their best when playing on the road in the league so far this season, picking up eight points from four games with two wins and two draws, and they will be relying on that to get them over the line with a result against the Dons on Saturday.
Team News
Dante Polvara has not made an appearance for Aberdeen since a 5-1 victory against Livingston in May 2024, and the midfielder is not expected to return to action until November.
Pape Habib Gueye had an outstanding start to the season, scoring six in eight appearances, but the forward has been ruled out until January after suffering a muscle injury in training, marking a significant loss for the Dons.
Elsewhere, a similar side to the one that has remained undefeated in the opening 14 games of the campaign is expected to start this one, though Ester Sokler could come into the starting team after scoring last time out.
As for the visitors, Ross Graham and Ryan Strain have both been ruled out until at least November due to injury concerns.
Sam Dalby, who joined Dundee Utd on loan from Wrexham during the summer transfer window, scored his first goal for the club in the dramatic 3-2 win against Hibernian in the last game, and the striker is likely to keep his place in the team here.
Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Mitov; Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, Mackenzie; Shinnie, Nilsen; Keskinen, Clarkson, McGrath; Sokler
Dundee United possible starting lineup:
Walton; Adegboyega, Gallagher, Holt; Stephenson, Sevelj, Babunski, Ferry; Thomson, Middleton; Dalby
We say: Aberdeen 2-1 Dundee United
Aberdeen have looked almost unstoppable this campaign, and while Dundee Utd are on a good run heading into this one, with the Dons also boasting the home advantage, we expect a home victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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