Hearts will look to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on the Scottish Premiership title last season as they travel to Pittodrie to take on Aberdeen on Saturday night.
After losing out on the Premiership title in agonising fashion last season, Hearts have endured a summer of change, with manager Derek McIness, captain Lawrence Shankland and influential midfielder Cammy Devlin all moving on to Rangers.
The Jambos appointed Wouter Vrancken as McIness’s successor, but it’s been a difficult start for the Belgian, as he saw his side beaten 6-0 on aggregate by Sturm Graz in the second round of Champions League qualifying.
Aberdeen suffered a disappointing season last term, finishing in a lowly ninth position, only six points above the relegation playoff spot.
However, the Dons have made a strong start to this campaign as they topped their League Cup group, winning all four of their group-stage matches to set up a home tie with Dundee in a fortnight’s time.
How the bookies view it: Hearts favourites
Despite their poor showing in both legs of their Champions League qualifying tie with Sturm Graz, Hearts have been installed as favourites to leave Pittodrie with all three points, with bet365 pricing an away success at 23/20.
Aberdeen are 11/5 to make it five wins from five in all competitions this season, whilst the draw is 5/2.
Head to head: Home a big advantage
This fixture has been dominated by the home side in recent seasons, with the last away victory for either side coming way back in 2017, a run of 26 matches.
The Dons are unbeaten in each of their last 14 Premiership meetings with Hearts at Pittodrie – winning 11 of them (W11-D3-L0) – including a 1-0 success in their last clash at this venue last November.
Players to watch: Nisbet to nick another?
Kevin Nisbet was Aberdeen’s top-scorer in the Premiership with nine goals last season, and he has already got himself up and running this term.
The Scottish international bagged six goals in the group stages of the League Cup – as well as providing a couple of assists – and is an appealing 11/10 at bet365 to Score or Assist on Saturday.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Aberdeen: Muller, Lobban, Milne, Mayor, Guinness-Walker, Kjartansson, Lyons, Smith, Armstrong, Olusanya, Nisbet
Hearts: Schwolow, Altena, Fagan-Walcott, Findlay, Milne, McEntee, Spittal, Guendouz, Kyziridis, Miller, Braga
Anything else catch the eye?
It’s been a tough start for Wouter Vrancken as Hearts boss following their Champions League exit to Sturm Graz, and they could hardly have picked a harder fixture to begin their league campaign.
As already alluded to, the Jambos have an absolutely awful record at Pittodrie, failing to win on any of their last 14 visits, losing 11 of them.
Aberdeen will have their backers at 11/5, but I’m happy to go for the safer option and back them +0.25 on the Asian Handicap at 19/20 at bet365, meaning if the game ends in a draw we will receive a half-stakes winner.
GambleAware