Queen of the South vs Aberdeen Predictions
Aberdeen travel to Dumfries looking to maintain their perfect start to the League Cup campaign.
The Dons should have the quality to make it three wins from three, but Queens can score in a lively contest at Palmerston.
I have my stakes on Aberdeen to win with over 2.5 goals, and both teams to score.
High-Scoring Contest Likely
- Queen of the South have seen BTTS in 18 of their last 22 matches
- Queen of the South have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 6 matches (competitive fixtures)
- Aberdeen have seen BTTS in 3 of their last 4 matches against Queen of the South
- Aberdeen won their last 3 matches
- Aberdeen have seen over 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 6 away matches (competitive fixtures)
Aberdeen Hold the H2H Advantage
Queen of the South and Aberdeen have met on four occasions since 2012. Aberdeen won each of their last three encounters, including a 3-0 win at this venue two years ago.
Queen of the South Face Tough Test
Queen of the South return to Palmerston in high spirits after a fine 3-0 win against Brora Rangers last weekend. Nicky Clark opened the scoring after just 13 minutes before Liam Smith scored twice in the second period to secure an impressive road victory.
Peter Murphy's side kicked off their League Cup campaign with a frustrating penalty shootout defeat against Kelty Hearts after a 1-1 draw at Palmerston.
The Doonhamers made a slow start to their pre-season preparations, with back-to-back defeats against Connah’s Quay (1-0) and Crusaders (2-1).
The Championship outfit are usually a tough side to beat. The hosts are unbeaten in their last 13 competitive fixtures, although nine of those games finished as draws.
Aberdeen Building Momentum
Aberdeen face their third fixture in Group A after a 2-1 win against Queen’s Park on Saturday. Summer signings Dan Happe and Lewis Smith gave the Dons the perfect start with two goals in the first 11 minutes.
Jack Hamilton pulled one back for the Championship side, ensuring a nervy finale at Pittodrie.
The Dons began their League Cup campaign with a straightforward 2-0 victory at Brora Rangers last week. Kevin Nisbet bagged a brace in a routine road win for Steven Robinson’s men.
The Premiership side have now won each of their last three games after a pre-season friendly win against Linfield earlier this month.
While likely to prove too strong for their Championship hosts, defensive issues remain a concern for the Dons. Aberdeen have conceded in ten of their last 14 competitive matches.
Queen of the South vs Aberdeen Team News
Queen of the South (4-2-3-1): Trialist; Chris McQueen, Niall Rogerson, Caleb Goldie, Zander MacKenzie; Taylor Charters, Ben Johnstone; Jack Stott, Liam Smith, Billy Gray; Nicky Clark.
Head coach Murphy could freshen up his selection after Saturday’s away win at Brora Rangers. Billy Gray and Ben Johnstone are likely candidates to earn recalls to the first XI.
Aberdeen: (4-2-3-1) Marius Muller; Lewis Mayo, Jack Milne, Dan Happe, Nesta Guinness-Walker; Brad Lyons, Afeez Aremu; Tony Yogane, Connor Ronan, Toyosi Olusanya; Kevin Nisbet.
Head coach Robinson has no new injury issues this week. Toyosi Olusanya is pushing for a recall after a 30-minute substitute appearance against Queen’s Park.
Kusini Yengi remains sidelined with a long-term thigh issue.
Robinson praised debutant Marius Muller after the German goalkeeper made a triple save to deny Queen’s Park a leveller at Pittodrie last weekend.
"We shouldn't be relying on Marius to make a triple save," manager Robinson told BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.
"It was a fantastic save, and that's why we signed him, so, on a positive, we've signed a very good goalkeeper.
"We should be out of sight in the game. We start really well with energy, and then the game becomes too easy, and we start taking liberties and slowing the game down, not doing simple things better than the others."