Match Preview | Aberdeen v RCFC

The Staggies will be looking for a reaction following Wednesday night’s defeat to Dundee United when we travel to Pittodrie for our first match of 2023.

Following defeat on Tayside County slip to the bottom of the cinch Premiership, but not a position the club is unfamiliar with at this time in the season. County will be looking to start the second half of the campaign strongly in the Granite City.

TEAM NEWS

Jack Baldwin misses out due to suspension along with Owura Edwards who received two yellow cards at Tannadice against Dundee United.

Ben Purrington continues his recovery along with Alex Samuel who is now back in light training.

Ross Callachan made his first start since October during midweek after a hamstring injury kept the midfielder out for two months.

TALE OF THE TAPE

If drama is what you are looking for this fixture certainly lived up to the hype earlier in the campaign.

With a closely fought match sitting at 0-0 after 88 minutes you would have been forgiven for thinking it was destined to end 0-0. Up stepped Luis ‘Duk’ Lopes with an unorthodox and acrobatic finish to put Jim Goodwin’s side ahead with only two minutes of normal time remaining leaving the home side feeling frustrated after a fairly strong display.

However, County weren’t quite finished and as the clock ticked in to the fifth minute of injury time, William Akio was found at the back post to notch his first cinch Premiership goal and earn a deserved and merited point against The Dons.

Last season there were two draws between Aberdeen and Ross County before a win for County at Pittodrie to send Malky Mackay’s side in to the top six on the 33^rd match.

THE OPPOSITION

Similar to County, Aberdeen have found themselves searching for form in recent weeks and both clubs will be looking to start 2023 on a positive note.

The Dons have taken 25 points from their opening 19 matches with 8 wins, 1 draw and 10 defeats in the process. Narrow defeats to the Old Firm were sore for Jim Goodwin and his side as goals in the final minutes of both games against Celtic & Rangers saw them lose 0-1 and 2-3 respectively.

Those defeats have been compounded in recent days with loses to St Mirren and Kilmarnock, but Aberdeen have shown tenacity and quality in the early stages of the season that they will feel can help them get back on track.

ATTENDING THE MATCH

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