The Dons made a good start at the beginning of August with wins over Hamilton and St Johnstone but that was followed by defeats at the hands of Kilmarnock and least week’s drubbing against Dundee United.
They will miss Aluko and Fyvie, both with long term injuries but we can expect to see the first appearance Velicka in an Aberdeen shirt. The striker, on a season’s loan from Rangers, has recovered from an ankle knock and is said to be a likely starter on Saturday.
We might see a bigger Red Army than usual in the South Stand. The SPL is encouraging clubs to do their bit for the Family Champions initiative and as a result the travelling fans can bring up to three kids for free. We are also promised an appearance of Angus the Bull! The same deal will apply to home fans (according to the SPL site) although we will be spared the attentions of the Aberdeen mascot!
Craig Brown is aware that we are yet to record a home league win and he is disappointed. He said, “Aberdeen have brought some new players to the club and perhaps it is taking them some time to settle in, but they are of good quality and they will certainly enhance the quality of Aberdeen this season. I don’t expect them to have any of the struggles of last season, and I firmly expect a really tough game at the weekend.”
We have some decisions to make about the starting eleven. Saunders is free of suspension and is likely to return but Casagolda has a knee knock and will be missing. It seems certain that Gow will have more than the two minutes of action he was given in Perth but a place on the bench seems most likely.
This will be the first Saturday kick off of the season at Fir Park, what better way to celebrate it than by securing our third place in the table with a 3-0 win?