ABERDEEN'S miserable run continued on Sunday when they were hit with a real boot in the nether regions after a late Dundee United winner.
And they will be desperate to start 2025 on a happier note when Ross County first foot them at Pittodrie.
The Dons are now winless in eight although, unlike their capitulation at Kilmarnock a few days previously, this was night and day against United.
They played some decent stuff, showed far more fight and had probably just about done enough for a point.
But their soft underbelly in central defence was again exposed and they couldn't deal with a long throw in windy conditions in injury time.
Ross County must be coming into this game with a spring in their step having come back to score two goals deep into injury time at home to Hearts to snatch a remarkable point after being 2-0 down.
That was on the back of an impressive 3-0 win at Dundee which ended a four-game run in style.
So the Staggies should be heading to Pittodrie with plenty of belief and confidence…unlike Aberdeen.
How the bookies view it: Dons still favourites despite run
Aberdeen are strong 1/2 favourites to finally break that winless run with Boylesports, with the draw 14/5 and a Staggies win 9/2.
Recent head to heads: Dons on top recently
Aberdeen netted an injury time winner in Dingwall earlier this season and also won four of their five meetings last season with the other game drawn. County's last Pittodrie win was in 2022.
Players to watch: Jordan's all White
Aberdeen have real issues just now with scoring goals with their strikers misfiring. Leighton Clarkson is a set-piece expert and chips in with a few important goals. He is 4/1 to score anytime with UniBet.
Jordan White was the man who started County's unlikely comeback on Sunday and it was his eighth goal of the season. He is 9/2 to score anytime with Ladbrokes.
Predicted line-ups:
Aberdeen will be missing Sivert Nilsen through suspension and injured trio Vicente Besuijen, Jack Milne and Pape Gueye.
County are without Alex Samuel, Will Nightingale and keeper Ross Laidlaw.
Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, MacKenzie, Palavarsa, Shinnie, Duk, McGrath, Keskinen, Solker.
Ross County: Amissah, Wright, Lopata, Leak, Efete, Randall, Denholm, Harmon, Chilvers, White, Hale.
Anything else catch the eye?
There were signs Aberdeen were getting back to their early-season form at Tannadice and they might have enough to get that win and beat County.
The absence of Sivert Nilsen – who has been playing without a break since his arrival from Scandinavia – might actually help Aberdeen who could do with some legs in the engine room.
And they should have too much quality for the visitors and can edge out County by a goal with 5/2 with Boylesports.
You would expect the Staggies to breach a suspect Dons defence who can't see to keep any clean sheets and Boylesports' 5/6 for both teams to score looks a solid shout.
This Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Ross County will be played on Jan 2, 2025 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Aberdeen vs Ross County prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
