Celtic-pursuers Aberdeen hunt Scottish Premiership win at Hearts
Published:
Lee Gormley | December 10, 2015
Aberdeen v Hearts
- Scottish Premiership
- Saturday, December 12th
- Kick-off: 12:30 GMT
- Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen
- Live on Sky Sports 2
Aberdeen and Hearts hunt leaders Celtic
It’s a case of second versus third in Saturday’s early Scottish Premiership encounter between Aberdeen and Hearts, as Derek McInnes’ hosts seek three points which would edge them closer to reigning champions and current leaders Celtic.
The Dons have closed the gap on Ronny Deila’s Glasgow giants to four points, but the Hoops hold an encouraging game in hand on their domestic rivals, while Hearts are trailing behind in third position.
Aberdeen overcame Dundee with a comfortable 2-0 victory in their most recent Premiership outing, having now gone unbeaten in four successive games following previous weeks of under-par performances, and they are 23/10 with Coral for another win to nil.
Both sides in good form
The hosts have lost on just one occasion domestically so far on home soil this current campaign, when they uncharacteristically fell apart against St Johnstone in October, and Robbie Neilson’s Hearts side are 11/4 for a travelling triumph.
Hearts are in danger of falling off the pace from both Aberdeen and dominant champions Celtic this term, especially if they endure defeat to the Dons this weekend, but their recent form suggests they can cause somewhat of an upset at the Pittodrie Stadium.
Neilson’s men are unbeaten in their previous eight league outings, but that impressive streak includes four draws which have stifled them in earlier weeks, and another share of the spoils in Aberdeen is 5/2 to occur.
Rooney and Juanma goal threats
The visitors will be relying on the goal scoring instincts of top scorer and in-form Spanish frontman Juanma Delgado in this latest Premiership tussle, with the 25-year-old hitman having dispatched eight times domestically this season and he is 11/4 for another anytime.
His attacking partner Osman Sow has also enjoyed fine form in front of goal, with six strikes in his 16 league appearances so far, making him 7/1 to open proceedings this time around or 2/1 to net anytime.
For the hosts, Republic of Ireland international call-up Adam Rooney should be key to any further success on home turf, as he continues the clinical nature which made him one of the most feared strikers in the division last campaign. The Irishman is 7/2 to bag a brace or more this time out and add to his 11 league goals already so far.
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