DomainJava.com – Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen predictions in Scottish Premier clash Stumbling Aberdeen will be hoping for a bit of post-Christmas cheer when they travel to BBSP Stadium Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Thursday.
The hosts will start Boxing Day in ninth position with 18 points from 18 matches, while the visitors are now third in the league standings with 34 points after 17 matches.
After bursting out of the starting gate with 10 wins and just one draw in their first 11 games of the season, the wheels have appeared to come off in the last few weeks for Aberdeen.
The Dons took an early lead last weekend at home to Hibernian thanks to a Topi Keskinen goal in the 14th minute, but it only lasted four minutes, and at half-time they trailed by a goal before eventually losing the game 3-1.
The result marked Jimmy Thelin's side's sixth consecutive league game without a win, and saw them forced down from second place by Rangers, who beat Dundee 1-0 the following day.
Cracks are starting to appear across the pitch for the Dandies too, with their defense failing to keep a clean sheet in nine consecutive games, while midfield duo Graeme Shinnie and Sivert Nilsen have been far less effective of late than they were at the start of the season.
However, the visitors have only lost once at home this season and may feel that this could be the match where they start to turn things around, having beaten this opponent quite comfortably in their last meeting.
Meanwhile, after finishing in fourth place last season, Kilmarnock have experienced a significant decline this season, managing just four wins in 18 games to date, and are currently just four points clear of bottom club St. John's. Johnstone.
However, after a winless November and a heavy 6-0 defeat to Rangers earlier this month, Killie are starting to show signs of life, now unbeaten in their last three games (W1 D2 L0).
Their last outing saw them come from a goal down to finish 1-1 against Motherwell at home thanks to Liam Polsworth's 74th-minute goal – their first goal from open play since their 3-3 draw against Dundee last month.
Indeed, a lack of consistent goals has been a major downfall for Derek McInnes' side this season, as they have only managed 19 goals so far, which is the second lowest total in the division behind Ross County (14).
The hosts have managed just two wins in seven home games this season, but given his former employers' recent struggles, McInnes will likely feel his side can pull off a result here.
Kilmarnock will be able to welcome Robbie Deas back into the squad this week, after the defender has now served his ban for the red card he received against Hearts earlier this month.
That means the hosts are expected to be without one starting player for this match, namely Stuart Findlay, who is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered last month.
For the visitors, Vicente Besuijen and defender Jack Milne both picked up injuries in the 1-1 draw against St Johnstone a few weeks ago, and Thelin confirmed earlier this week that the two are expected to be out for four and three months respectively.
Dimitar Mitov (hamstring) and top scorer Pape Habib Gueye (muscle) are also out until the New Year, meaning Ross Doohan will remain in goal and Ester Sokler will lead the line this week.(source: Sportsmole)
Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen Player Predictions
Kilmarnock : O'Hara; Mayo, Wright, Ndaba; Watson, Lyons, Polworth, Murray, Anderson; Vassell, Watkins
Aberdeen : Doohan; Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, Mackenzie; Shinnie, Nilsen; Central, Clarkson, McGrath; Sockler
Kilmarnock vs Aberdeen Score Prediction: 2-1
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