Inverness v Aberdeen Betting Pick 2 – Saturday 15 September 2012

International Football Tips

Terry Butcher will not have been pleased with his side’s start to the season as the Highland club have failed to win any of their first five games and have lost heavily to Celtic and Motherwell in their most recent games. They sit one place off the bottom of the division with only St Johnstone worse off than them at this point. Until those two defeats, Caley had drawn their first three SPL matches – against St Mirren, Kilmarnock and Hearts. The International break definitely came at a good time for Butcher and his players as it would have provided a chance to regroup after shipping eight goals in two matches. It’s never going to be easy for a club of Inverness’ side on such a small budget but they have always been competitive and Butcher will be striving to achieve that once again.

Aberdeen fans may well be glad that they are away from home this weekend as they have yet to see a goal scored at Pittodrie in the SPL this season. Not that they have been prolific goalscorers on their travels either but their away games have at least featured some goals. After a narrow opening day defeat away to Celtic, Aberdeen have only conceded one more goal (ironically against St Johnstone during their only win). It means that the Dons have scored in just one game all season in the league which is why, despite losing one game out of five, they are in the bottom four. Craig Brown will be demanding a lot more from his players whilst the Aberdeen supporters will be demanding a lot more from both the players and the management.

One man who will be returning to Inverness is Johnny Hayes who moved to Aberdeen during the summer. There is little doubt that the winger has been missed by Caley and the lack of replacement will be a concern for the supporters who have not been out in force at home games as much in previous seasons. Hayes aside, Inverness look short on quality in a lot of areas at the moment, especially defence where they have usually been strong. As Butcher was a dominant centre half during his playing career it is likely that he will be most concerned about his side’s inability to prevent the opposition scoring.

Aberdeen, who alongside Ross County have scored the fewest goals, will be aware of how fragile their Saturday hosts have been at the back. It will be of no use to them, however, if they can’t move the ball quicker in the final third. Their defence and midfield are strong and as a unit they look organised. In order to win games they have to create more and that has been the stumbling block. The International break may also have helped them in the sense that it will allow more work on the training ground.

There is an incredible difference of 17 goals between the two sides aggregate scores in SPL games they have been involved in this season so it’s difficult to assess how the teams will approach the match. I touched on how the International break may have benefited both sides in their quest to find improvement in different areas of the park and I think that may well be what it comes down to.

Aberdeen were effective at more of the basics than Inverness in the opening month of the season and if they can just add more threat then they look the likeliest winners on Saturday.

Aberdeen 8/5 @ William Hill