Scottish Premiership 2013-14 | ||
Inverness Caledonian Thistle |
vs | Aberdeen |
ScheduleFriday, 18 April 2014 at 18:45 GMT / 19:45 UK / 00:15 IST VenueCaledonian Stadium |
With the league already done and dusted in terms of champions, the second place spot is up for grabs for the also rans. With Aberdeen and Motherwell within three points of one another, there it certainly a lot to play for when it comes to finishing as high as possible. Inverness, conversely will likely have little to aim for. With the top three seemingly out of reach, they will be battling to stay ahead of St Johnstone for the foreseeable future, though Dundee’s fourth place spot remains a viable target, if ultimately only a matter of pride.
Inverness have experienced a mix run of late. With two losses, two wins and a draw in their last five, and a similar record over the last ten, not much can be said for the side’s consistency. Beating those around them in the table has been an issue of late, so the amount of fight they are able to put up against Aberdeen is in doubt. The loss against Celtic might stand out (5-0), but defeats at the hand of Dundee and Motherwell as the fixtures which have really presented them from pushing for the top.
Being placed three places higher, then, you would expect Aberdeen to capitalise. Unbeaten in their last seven, and with one loss in their last ten, Aberdeen have been edging results and doing enough to earn points in as many matches as possible. Having been knocked out of the cup recently, however, the team might be itching to set the record straight. With the teams lining up in similar tactical layout, it seems likely that Aberdeen will have enough in their tank to edge further towards the final destination and the second placed spot.
Injuries might not be a concern for Aberdeen, with a mostly healthy squad and several player enjoying a fine run of form. The recent performances of Rooney and McGinn have been a large part of the club’s climb up the table and the displays produced by Pawlett have been described as the best of his career. With little in the way of injury concerns, the club will be hoping that all players are able to stay healthy if they are to cement second place.
Inverness will be relying on Billy McKay to produce the goods if they are to get anything from the match. The striker’s goal scoring form as of late has been instrumental, with little goals from elsewhere in the team. Willie Collum will be unlikely to feature following a recent ban while the majority of the squad remains available for selection.
P33 W15 D07 L11
LWWDW
Predicted Line-Up (4-4-1-1): Brill; Raven, Warren, Meekings, Tremarco; Watkins, Tansey, Vincent, Shinnie; Doran; McKay
P33 W19 D06 L08
WLDLW
Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2): Langfield; Logan, Anderson, Considine, Reynolds; Jack, Flood, Robson, Pawlett; McGinn, Rooney
As in recent weeks, Aberdeen will likely do enough to beat out Inverness, though it might not be pretty.
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