Prediction: Aberdeen to win 2-1
Best Odds: 151/20
St Johnstone and Aberdeen will lock horns with each other in the Scottish Premiership next week. The match between Craig Levein’s side and Jimmy Thelin’s team will be at McDiarmid Park and is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time next Monday.
St Johnstone
St Johnstone are a modest club in Scotland who do not tend to compete for the Scottish Premiership title or even for a place in Europe. The Saints, who were founded back in 1884, finished 10th in the Scottish Premiership table last season. They will be happy with a similar sort of position, but, of course, as with all clubs, they will be keen on doing better this time around.
The Saints have been quite busy in the summer transfer window. Among the players St. Johnstone have signed are defender Jack Sanders, defender Andre Raymond, forward Josh McPake, goalkeeper Josh Rae and midfielder Aaron Essel. Defenders Lewis Neilson and Kyle Cameron have arrived at McDiarmid Park on loan, while the likes of goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, defender Liam Gordon, goalkeeper Jack Wills, midfielder Ali Crawford and defender Ryan McGowan have left for good.
Craig Levein was appointed the St. Johnstone manager in November 2023. It will be interesting to see the approach he takes to the new campaign. Levein did well during his spells at Heart of Midlothian, and the 59-year-old will be keen on leaving a mark on St. Johnstone too.
Team News:
St. Johnstone could line up in a 4-4-2 formation. Rae will be in goal and will have Keltjens, McClelland, Sanders and Raymond in front of him in defence. M Smith, MacPherson, Wright, Sprangler and Carey will be the four midfielders. Mbunga and Kimpioka will lead the line for St. Johnstone.
Aberdeen
Aberdeen are one of the biggest and most well-supported clubs in Scotland. They do not tend to challenge or win the Scottish Premiership title, but they have done well in cup competitions and are a force to be reckoned with when it comes to being the best of the rest.
The Dons, though, had a disappointing campaign last season. Aberdeen ended up as low as seventh in the Scottish Premiership table. The Pittodrie Stadium faithful will expect much better this time around, and new manager Jimmy Thelin will have to hit the ground running.
Like other clubs in the Scottish Premiership, Aberdeen have been quite active in the summer transfer window. Midfielder Sivert Heltne Nilsen, goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov, defender Gavin Molloy, and forward Peter Ambrose are among the players who have been brought in. Goalkeeper Kelle Roos, defender Kieran Ngwenya, defender Finlay Murray and defender Anthony Stewart are among those who have departed.
Team News:
Aberdeen are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mitov will be in goal for the visiting team and will have Devlin, Rubezics, Molloy and MacKenzie in front of him in defence. Nilsen and Shinnie will be the two holding midfielders. Morris, Clarkson and McGrath will be the three attacking midfielders. Sokler will lead the line for Aberdeen.
Key Factors to Consider
- St. Johnstone and Aberdeen played out a 1-1 draw at McDiarmid Park in the Scottish Premiership in January 2024.
- St. Johnstone have won 4 and lost 1 of their last 5 matches.
- St. Johnstone have scored 12 goals in their last 5 games.
- Aberdeen have won their last 4 matches.
- Aberdeen have scored 19 goals in their last 4 games.
Conclusion
Aberdeen are one of the biggest and most well-supported clubs in Scotland, and they will be keen on kicking off the new Scottish Premiership campaign with a win. Playing at home will give St. Johnstone an advantage, but it is hard to see Aberdeen fail to eke out a victory at McDiarmid Park.
Prediction: Aberdeen to win 2-1
Best Odds: 151/20
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