Preview: St Johnstone vs. Aberdeen - prediction, team news, lineups

After losing a crunch game against Dundee, St Johnstone will be desperate to respond after they slipped into the relegation zone last weekend.

They will host Aberdeen, who have managed to win their previous two fixtures which is a run they shall be looking to continue.

Match preview

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St Johnstone faced Dundee last weekend in a battle between two teams in a fight for survival, but it was the Dark Blues who came out on top during the encounter.

A Danny Mullen goal in the first half was enough to separate them, but it was a result that sank the Saints into the relegation zone, with their opponents overtaking them.

The fact they were unable to score highlights a problem that the squad has been dealing with throughout the campaign, as they are yet to hit double figures across the 15 fixtures they have played in.

This marked the fourth match in a row that St Johnstone have failed to win in all competitions and with Ross County just three points behind them, there is an increase in pressure.

A defeat on Saturday has the potential to see them fall to the foot of the table, which is a situation the club will be hoping to avoid heading into the busy winter period.

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Aberdeen recently went through a poor spell which saw them lose a trio of games consecutively, but that is something that they have been able to overcome since that point.

The Dons have now won back-to-back matches against Livingston and St Mirren where their attacking abilities have been on full display, scoring six goals in that time.

Stephen Glass guided his team to an impressive 4-1 victory at the weekend against the Buddies with braces from both Marley Watkins and Christian Ramirez.

However, Aberdeen will be aware of the fact that when they last faced St Johnstone they came up short in a 1-0 defeat due to a late goal from Stevie May.

With the Dons in mid-table right now, the club are in a comfortable position, but with Hibernian only two points behind them, a defeat could see them slip into the bottom half.

Team News

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St Johnstone will still be missing Craig Bryson on Saturday due to his suspension, with this being the final match that he will be unavailable for.

This should lead to Cameron MacPherson retaining his place in the starting XI after he was brought in, while Chris Kane was also put into the squad last weekend.

Aberdeen will still be without Andrew Considine even though he posted an image of himself being back on the grass as his recovery from his ACL knee injury continues.

Meanwhile, Ramirez is set to lead the line for the Dons as he continues his impressive run of form in front of goal at the moment.

St Johnstone possible starting lineup:
Clark; Rooney, Gordon, McCart; Booth, Davidson, MacPherson, Crawford; Vertainen, O'Halloran; Kane

Aberdeen possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Ojo, McCrorie, Bates, Hayes; Ferguson, Brown; Emmanuel-Thomas, Hedges, Watkins; Ramirez

We say: St Johnstone 0-2 Aberdeen

The two teams are in contrasting form at the moment and it is the visitors who are more dominant at the moment, having won their past two matches.

The fact that St Johnstone are struggling so much in front of goal is also going to have an impact on things, with a lack of confidence within the squad right now.

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