NINETEEN days after Aberdeen kicked off the Scottish Premiership season, they play their second fixture. To say the time in between has been eventful is quite the understatement.
The Dons had three league games postponed as a result of eight of their players thinking it was a good idea to hit the town after a dismal performance in the opening 1-0 defeat to Rangers.
Two of those players tested positive for Covid-19 and the other six were also forced to self-isolate, with condemnation coming from far and wide, including a verbal volley from Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Hopefully the ‘Aberdeen eight' have learned their lesson and can get back to focusing solely on football now. They are free to play although one of their number, star striker Sam Cosgrove, remains sidelined long term with a knee injury.
With loan striker Ryan Edmondson also crocked, boss Derek McInnes will be desperate for Curtis Main to be passed fit after missing the Rangers game with thigh problem. Otherwise, 21-year-old Bruce Anderson will be the club's only fit frontman. It never rains but it pours in the Granite City.
Saints, meanwhile, sit seventh after a steady start and three straight away games under rookie manager Callum Davidson. They capitalised on Kilmarnock going down to 10 men on Saturday to snatch their first victory of the campaign with a late 2-1 win and are now primed for a return to Perth.
They are seeking to rectify a rotten home record in this fixture, with Saints having failed to win any of the last six meetings in Perth, and emerging victorious just once in the last nine.
How do the bookies view it?
There's nothing between the sides in the WDW market, with both priced up at 17-10 by bet365 for the three points.
The draw – which landed in two of the sides' three meetings last term – pays 43-20 at Unibet.
Betting angles
Davidson has an inviting opportunity to mark his home managerial debut with a win. Aberdeen's lack of match practice can't be discounted, neither can the fact they were abysmal in the defeat to Rangers.
It's still early days in the Davidson reign, though, and I'm erring on the side of caution by backing the hosts draw no bet at 17-20 with Paddy Power.
Don't expect a goal glut, with Aberdeen short of fit strikers and the last six meetings all having gone under 2.5 goals.
The Dons will be happy to keep it tight early on feel their way back into action after almost three weeks off, so go for the 20-21 at bet365 for the game to be tied at half-time.
This Scottish Premiership match between St Johnstone and Aberdeen will be played on Aug 20, 2020 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best St Johnstone vs Aberdeen prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
