Aberdeen try to put behind them the nightmare of the past couple of months in the Premiership when they welcome Championship side Dunfermline in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.
The Dons' horror run – where they haven't won a league game since the beginning of November – has been well publicised, as was their start to the season where a 13-match winning run seems an awfully long time ago.
It's not just the games without winning, the Dons have also forgotten how to score goals. Last week's defeat at Hibs was their fifth league game in a row without scoring.
In fact, it's one goal in eight league games and that was down to an absolute howler from Ross County keeper Jordan Amissah.
However, the Pittodrie board have backed manager Jimmy Thelin handsomely and Dutch defender Mats Knoester and Palestinian striker Oday Dabbagh brought the arrivals up to five this week and they were for a decent combined outlay.
Dunfermline are under new management both in the boardroom and the dug-out. A former poker professional has taken the over and appointed Kelty Hearts boss Michael Tidser to take charge.
He recovered from a poor defeat at Airdrie to win the Fife Derby against Raith Rovers last week.
How the bookies view it: Dons still trusted
Despite that run, the difference in leagues means Aberdeen were always going to be warm favourites and they are 4/11 to win with Boylesports. The visitors are 11/2 and the draw is 10/3.
Recent head to heads: Pars poor at Pittodrie
It's been quite some time since these two sides met – 13 years to be precise – with Aberdeen winning a League Cup tie.
Dunfermline haven't scored on their last seven visits to Pittodrie and last won there in 2002.
Players to watch: Dons fans been waiting Oday for a goal….
All eyes will be on new signing Oday Dabbagh to see if he is the man to solve Aberdeen's problems. Palestine's top international scorers is 7/4 to score anytime with bet365.
Chris Kane gave a warning what he could do last week with a hat-trick against Raith Rovers and the former St Johnstone striker is 4/1 to net anytime with bet365.
Predicted line-ups:
Aberdeen sold misfiring striker Duk last week and will surely hand debuts to their new boys. Keeper Dimitar Mitov is still injured along with Jamie McGrath.
Dunfermline could hand debuts to Scotland Under 21s defender Jeremiah Mullen, Bristol City's Omar Taylor-Clarke and Owen Hampson who were all signed on loan this week.
Aberdeen: Doohan, Devlin, Tobers, Knoester, Jansen, Shinnie, Nilsen, Keskinen, Clarkson, Morris, Dabbagh.
Dunfermline: Oluwayemi, Comrie, Fogarty, Benedictus, Ngwenya, Hamilton, Stevens, Wotherspoon, Otoo, McCann, Kane.
Anything else catch the eye?
This is a tricky one with Aberdeen's dismal recent form possibly outweighed by the fact they have a couplf of new faces in the squad and they are playing a Pars side who haven't been setting the heather on fire in the Championship.
You can't be steaming into Aberdeen at 4/11 and it could be a nervous afternoon for the home fans – it certain was in the last round when it took a late goal glut to put League Two Elgin City to bed.
Back them to get the job done by a narrow margin of just one goal with Boylesports at 5/2.
This could be a slow burner too with the hosts struggling for confidence and Dunfermline aiming to keep it tight at the start – go for a goalless draw at the break at 2/1 with Boylesports.
This Scottish Cup match between Aberdeen and Dunfermline will be played on Feb 9, 2025 and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Aberdeen vs Dunfermline prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
