Aberdeen and Hearts meet for only the third time at Hampden Park in their long histories when they clash in the Scottish Cup semi final on Saturday lunchtime.
For two clubs that like to consider themselves as the third force in the country, it's a surprising statistic that they have only met twice at the National Stadium in 122 years.
And both come into this on a downer.
The Dons somehow managed to blow a two-goal half time lead at home to a Rangers reserve side who were reduced to ten men long before the break.
A combination of a host of missed chances, baffling substitutions and mental weakness cause them to blow it and waste a great chance to stay close to Hibs in the battle for third spot.
And they can hardly have great memories of their last trip to Hampden for a national semi final when they were destroyed 6-0 by Celtic in the League Cup.
But in a hold-my-beer moment, Hearts can also point to failing to win any of their last two games which would have guaranteed them a top six place.
And they now have the miserable prospect of a bottom six run-in.
How the bookies view it: Hearts get the bookies vote
Hearts as viewed as favourites here at 6/5 with Boylesports with Aberdeen 15/8 and the draw 9/4.
Recent head to heads: A win apiece at Hampden.
For what it's worth, those two Hampden meetings were the 1986 Scottish Cup Final which Aberdeen won 3-0 and the 1996 semi-final in the same competition which Hearts won 2-1.
This season, there have been two draws and a win for Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
Players to watch: Topi on top
Topi Keskinen has been on top form recently for Aberdeen and loves a shot at goal – he could have scored a couple against Rangers last week with a bit mre luck. The Finnish international is 9/2 to score anytime with Boylesports.
Elton Kabangu is expected to get the nod alongside Lawrence Shankland and the Hearts striker is 6/5 to score anytime with Boylesports.
Predicted line-ups:
Aberdeen will be without the injured Jamie McGrath, Sivert Nilsen, Gavin Molly and Vicente Besuijen. Keeper Dimitar Mitov and defender Kristers Tobers might manage a place on the bench after injuries.
Hearts are without keeper Zander Clark, Finlay Pollock, Gerald Taylor and Frankie Kent.
Aberdeen: Doohan, Jansen, Dorrington, Knoester, Shinnie, Morris, Palaversa, Clarkson, Keskinen, Gueye, Nisbet.
Hearts: Gordon, Neilson, Steinwender. McCart, Kingsley, Grant, Baningime, Devlin, Penrice, Shankland , Kabangu.
Anything else catch the eye?
It's pretty baffling why Hearts are favourites here. Aberdeen are ten points ahead of them in the league, have a better head-to-head record and have lost just one of their last ten games and that was at Celtic.
It looks a no-brainer to back the Dons at those odds against a Hearts team who have failed to score in their last three matches.
There's usually plenty of spice in these games and ref John Beaton may have his work cut out with 15 yellow cards and a red card in the three meetings so far this season. Back
The big wide Hampden pitch should suit the width of Aberdeen with Shayden Morris and Topi Keskinen on either side.
Aberdeen love a corner – they won 6-1 against Rangers on the corner count last week. Back them to get more corners than Hearts at 8/5 with bet365.
This Scottish Cup match between Hearts and Aberdeen will be played on and kick off at 12:30. Check below for our tipsters best Hearts vs Aberdeen prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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