Aberdeen and Motherwell battle it out for a place in the Premier Sports Cup semi final on Saturday in an intriguing Pittodrie showdown.
The Dons' issues have been well documented this season and, for the first time, there is a spot of pressure mounting on manager Jimmy Thelin, something which seemed unthinkable when he guided Aberdeen to their first Scottish Cup triumph in 35 years in May.
He's been heavily backed in the transfer market, has built almost an entirely new team on big money and for chunky transfer fees and they have completely failed to deliver so far this season.
A goalless draw last week against Livingston was met with plenty of boos with Aberdeen now being the only team in Scotland to have failed to have scored a single goal in the league, where they sit bottom.
In contrast, Motherwell have won plenty of plaudits for their attractive style of football under new Danish boss Jens Berthel Askou.
But despite that, they have remarkably drawn all five of their matches in the Premiership, which is hugely frustrating for Well.
They are great to watch, but they have just lacked that killer instinct, which Askou insists will come.
How the bookies view it? Dons still favourites despite dismal start
The layers have kept the faith in Aberdeen and Boylesports make them evens favourites to win in 90 minutes. Well are 23/10 outsiders and the draw is 11/5 with the same firm.
Recent head to heads: Pittodrie gloom for Well
Aberdeen have won four of the last five meetings between the sides at Pittodrie and drawn the other game. They won both matches in the north east last season.
Players to watch: Nisbet a bet to get off mark?
Kevin Nisbet was a big player for Aberdeen on loan last season and he'll be desperate to open his account now that he's joined permanently. He looks a good shout at 2/1 with Ladbrokes to do just that.
Tawanda Maswanhise has been in excellent form for Well this season with seven goals in all competitions and the Zimbabwean striker is 3/1 to score anytime with bet365.
Predicted line-ups:
Aberdeen have a full squad to choose from with Nicky Devlin back from suspension and manager Jimmy Thelin has plenty of choice.
Motherwell are still without the injured Tom Sparrow alongside long-term absentees Sam Nicholson, Filip Stuparevic and Zach Robinson.
Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Knoester, Dorrington, Gyamfi, Armstrong, Palaversa, Karlsson, Aouchiche, Keskinen, Nisbet.
Motherwell: Ward, Koutroumbis, Gordon, Welsh, Longelo, Watt, Fadinger, Said, Charles-Cook, Maswanhise, Stamatelopoulos.
Anything else catch the eye?
It would take a brave punter to smash into the Dons at evens and this could be yet another stalemate for Motherwell – their speciality.
Aberdeen are certainly fragile at the back and that should lead to opportunities for Well, but you have to think with the quality of quantity of the squad the Dons have and the options they have, they have to click soon….and boss Thelin has actually won ten out of the 11 cup ties he's played.
The hosts play with plenty of width with wingers and full backs encouraged to get crosses in and that usually leads to plenty of coners in Aberdeen games so keep an eye out for that when those markets come up.
GambleAware