Aberdeen welcome Hamilton Academical to Pittodrie on Saturday for what could be an important Scottish Premiership clash for both teams.

The Dons are just about clinging onto fourth place while the Accies are locked into a relegation dogfight, so both teams are desperate for points.

Match preview

Dons manager Derek McInnes has been in a defiant mood after his team's 1-0 defeat at Celtic last weekend, the second time his side lost to the Hoops in February.

Despite third-placed Hibernian now having a four-point lead over McInnes's men, the Aberdeen coach has said that his team's chances of finishing above Hibs are "very much alive".

McInnes believes that the key part of the season will come after the split and that his team will be able to overhaul the Leith outfit then.

He was certainly not displeased with his side's display against the Celts, with the Dons looking the slightly better side at Parkhead in the second half.

He acknowledged, however, that his players now need to look much sharper in front of goal if they are to be successful in the rest of the season.

The Dons have won just twice in their last nine games, although performances have been better than those results suggest.

Recent history against the Accies gives reason for optimism this weekend - Aberdeen have won 12 of their last 13 matches against Hamilton in all competitions.

Brian Rice's Hamilton side have been battling away in recent weeks, and have picked up some useful results over the last month or so.

A 1-1 draw at home to Rangers on February 7 was followed up with a 4-1 win at Motherwell, and the Accies have drawn two and lost one since then.

Although still rooted at the foot of the table, Hamilton are level on 25 points with 11th-placed Kilmarnock with a game in hand, and a point behind 10th-placed Ross County.

The arrival of forward Bruce Anderson from Aberdeen in January has helped the Accies to look sharper in attack, while midfielder Ross Callachan, who netted with an impressive strike in the midweek draw with St Johnstone, has also produced some impressive recent displays.

Skipper Brian Easton has pinpointed the draw with Rangers as something of a turning point for the team, and they will certainly be no pushovers at Pittodrie on Saturday.

Aberdeen Scottish Premiership form: LLDLWL

Hamilton Academical Scottish Premiership form: LDWDLD

Team News

Aberdeen will be without striker Fraser Hornby, who looks set for a couple more weeks or so on the sideline with his thigh injury.

Greg Leigh (hamstring) and Michael Devlin (ankle) are nearing returns to action but are unlikely to feature this weekend.

Ryan Hedges is out for the season with a muscle injury.

For Hamilton, Brian Rice will not be able to call on Shaun Want, who is out with a thigh injury. Marios Ogkmpoe is sidelined with a hamstring injury too.

David Templeton is out for the rest of the Accies' season with a groin injury.

One man who is certain to be in the team is versatile defender Hakeem Odoffin, who looks set to extend his stay at the club in the summer after impressing his manager this season.

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Hoban, Taylor, Considine; McLennan, McCrorie, Ferguson, Campbell, Hayes; McGinn, Kamberi

Hamilton Academical possible starting lineup:
Fulton; Odoffin, A Martin, Easton; Hodson, Callachan, Trafford, S Martin, McMann; Moyo, Anderson

We say: Aberdeen 1-1 Hamilton Academical

Aberdeen and Hamilton look likely to draw on Saturday at Pittodrie - a result that will suit the Accies far more than the home team.

The Dons look blunt in attack right now and have a real problem winning games, and that pattern looks likely to continue this weekend.

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