Hibernian v Aberdeen
Saturday 2nd February 1500hrs
Football – Scotland – Premiership
Pick Aberdeen
Bookmaker: Ladbrokes
Odds: 8/5 (odds taken 20.00 GMT, Friday 1st February)
It’s never boring in Scottish football and this weekend has been no exception. Hibs will be looking to kick on after their difficult week at home to an Aberdeen side still with hopes of landing an unlikely treble. Read on for a match preview and a best bet selection.
Scottish Premiership Betting at Ladbrokes
Hibernian Preview
Whilst it’s been an intriguing watch from the outside, it’s been a very turbulent week for Hibernian and the departure of manager Neil Lennon. An initial suspension following a reported disagreement with players then club officials, Lennon eventually departed the club earlier this week in somewhat surreal circumstances. Hibs have not been able to match their efforts of 12 months ago when they finished fourth have won promotion in Lennon’s first season in charge. It’s not surprising that the Easter Road club have struggled to make as much of an impact this time around having lost virtually their whole midfield last summer and the signings brought in to replace them have not been good enough, or at least consistent enough. Life after Lennon started with a come-from-behind win away to St Mirren last weekend with the team under control of coaches Eddie May and Grant Murray. A new manager will be appointed in due course but in the meantime, it is all about attempting to climb into the top six and that starts by attempting to get a result at home to Aberdeen on Saturday. Hibs are in seventh at the moment and five points behind St Johnstone, however with that team facing Celtic on Sunday it may be an opportunity for them to make ground, but a win at home will be their only focus.
Key-Facts – Hibernian v Aberdeen
- Hibs will be playing their first game since manager Neil Lennon left the club
- Aberdeen have won six of their last eight away games
- 15 of the last 18 meetings between these to have contained two or fewer goals
Aberdeen Preview
Aberdeen’s title challenge is started to fade somewhat in that they are now eight points behind leaders Celtic but they will feel that a win on Saturday narrows that by three and keeps them in the hunt with plenty of football remaining. The Dons are also in good form and will not have lost too much belief having only managed a draw at home to Kilmarnock last weekend in a game that was always likely to come down to small margins. Derek McInnes’ men were also able to avoid a potential upset in the Scottish Cup during the week as they came through their replay with Stenhousemuir to book a place in the next round. Attention now switches back to what looks like being a pivotal week in their season with the visit to Hibs followed by a home game against Rangers the following Wednesday. If they do have genuine hopes of winning the title then both games have to result in positive outcomes. Their hopes have not been helped with an injury to Scott McKenna who has been in excellent form in defence, but he will miss at least a month having been taken off last week.
Hibernian v Aberdeen Betting Advice
Games between these two clubs are often very evenly matched but the majority of recent meetings have been when Hibs have been much closer to Aberdeen in the league table. There’s currently a gap of 11 points in the Dons’ favour and the hosts will be out to eat into that gap and prove they’re much better than they have shown in recent months. Home form has been a problem with just four wins all season and just one in their last seven – although that did come against champions Celtic in the middle of December. Their opponents have been in much better form, however, and have won six of their last eight, losing just once meaning they will travel to the capital in a positive frame of mind.
Although Hibs won last week they were extremely poor in the first half before finishing strongly so the inconsistencies that have plagued them all season still remain. Aberdeen are very consistent on the other hand and have won five of their last six in the league. The visitors know how to get points on the road and are able to grind teams into submission. Considering Hibs’ current state of mind I’m not convinced they can cope well with that opponent and will take Aberdeen to clinch an important three points.
