SOMETHING has to give when Celtic and Aberdeen clash in a top of the table clash at Parkhead on Saturday in a huge Premiership showdown.
Both clubs have identical 100 per cent records after seven games in the league and while that's almost par for the course for the current champions, it's an incredible start for Dons' new boss Jimmy Thelin.
The Swede has won his first 13 games in charge in all competitions and has got Aberdeen fans believing again. And while you would be very hard pushed to meet any of them that truly believe they will still be in a title race come the business end of the season, it's been a brilliant start and has to be good for Scottish football too.
Aberdeen had to really dig deep in their last game before the international break when they had their toughest test and probably played their worst game of the season, but still managed to edge out a home win against Hearts.
But Celtic were far from perfect either after requiring a late, late Nicolas Kuhn winner to come from behind to win at Ross County.
So it's all set to be a cracker.
How the bookies view it: Dons written off
Despite their outstanding start to the season, Aberdeen have been given no respect from the layers and you can get 10/1 with William Hill on a Dons win.
Celtic are as short as 1/5 in places and bet365's 1/4 is the best price on offer. The draw is 13/2 with Paddy Power.
Recent head to heads: Aberdeen nightmare in Paradise.
Aberdeen's recent record is utterly woeful – they have lost on their last eight visits to Parkhead and conceded 17 without scoring in their last four games there.
In fact, in the last 20 years, Aberdeen have won one single league game there…and that was a last day dead rubber for a Celtic side who had already won the title.
Players to watch: Maeda to exploit wings
Daizen Maeda is a player who has been in excellent form for the Hoops this season and Celtic are particularly strong on the flanks. The Japanese international is 2/1 to score anytime with Coral.
Kevin Nisbit's form earned him a Scotland recall and he will be Aberdeen's main hope for a goal. He is 4/1 to net anytime with UniBet.
Predicted line-ups:
Cameron Carter-Vickers is still sidelined for Celticand Greg Taylor is a doubt. Aberdeen's top scorer Pape Habib Gueye is out until the New Year.
Celtic: Schmeichel, Johnston, Trusty, Scales, Valle; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Idah, Maeda.
Aberdeen: Mitov, Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, Mackenzie, Shinnie, Nilsen, Keskinen, Palaversa, McGrath, Nisbet.
Anything else catch the eye?
Aberdeen have done brilliantly on their run, but this will be their toughest test yet and Celtic are course and distance winners when it comes to games like these.
Perhaps Jimmy Thelin will use Borussia Dortmund as inspiration and press Celtic into mistakes, but you have to think Celtic will have too much for their visitors, particularly on the wings, where Hearts found plenty of joy last week.
Aberdeen have 33-year-old duo Sivert Heltne Nilsen and Graeme Shinnie in the engine room and it's a big ask for the pair particularly as Celtic are usually strong at the end of games.
The shout here is draw half time and Celtic full time at 7/2 with William Hill. And with Celtic set to push on as the game progresses, Corals' evens for the second half to be the highest scoring half looks a shout too.
One of the Dons' ageing central midfielders may well have to take one for the team and captain Shinnie is certainly no stranger to a card. Back him at 2/1 to be carded with bet365.
This Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen will be played on Oct 19, 2024 and kick off at 15:00. Check below for our tipsters best Celtic vs Aberdeen prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
