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Recommended bets
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None of the last 13 meetings between these two have produced away wins, nine of which have seen the home side prevail. Aberdeen have only won three of their last 18 visits to Tynecastle.
Both teams to score is 19/20.
Hearts to win and both teams to score is 4/1.
Liam Boyce is 5/1 to break the deadlock and 15/8 to net anytime.
Christian Ramirez is 13/2 to open the scoring and 12/5 to add to his impressive tally.
Match preview
Aberdeen FC v Dundee FC – Cinch Scottish Premiership ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 26: Lewis Ferguson of Aberdeen scores during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen FC and Dundee FC at Pittodrie Stadium on December 26, 2021 in Aberdeen, Scotland. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
Can Heart of Midlothian tighten their grip on third place?
This was a vital victory for Robbie Neilson’s side who’d lost three on the bounce before this, so will be pleased this little blip is over.
Nevertheless, the Jambos remain third in the Premiership, 11 points clear of big rivals Hibernian in fourth.
This could be crucial because, if one of the top three wins the Scottish Cup, third will secure guaranteed European group stage football.
Aberdeen meanwhile ended up either second or third every year between 2014 and 2018, followed by three consecutive fourth placed finishes.
However, this time round, the Dons need to improve if they’re to secure a ninth successive campaign of continental football.
Saturday was Sir Alex Ferguson Day at Pittodrie but, despite a sell out crowd being in attendance, they could only draw 1-1 with Dundee United.
On the park, this was Jim Goodwin’s first home game as manager, but he could not secure the Dons’ first league victory since Boxing Day.
Having not won any of their last eight, Aberdeen are down in ninth, albeit just three points below the potential European places.
Who will win this important midweek clash at Tynecastle?
Heart of Midlothian team news
Hearts v Hibs – Scottish Championship EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 3 : A general view of Tynecastle Stadium the home of Heart of Midlothian F.C. during the Scottish Championship match between Heart of Midlothian F.C. and Hibernian F.C. at Tynecastle Stadium on January 3, 2015 in Edinburgh Scotland. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Michael Smith remains out with a knee injury so young Australian Nathaniel Atkinson will continue at right-back.
At the other end of the pitch, Ellis Simms scored his third Scottish Premiership goal since arriving from Everton on loan at the weekend.
However, more senior option Liam Boyce could continue to lead the line here.
Andy Halliday could return to the midfield, taking Cameron Devlin’s place, with Beni Baningime likely to keep his spot in the XI.
Aberdeen team news
Aberdeen v Rangers – Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 04: Andrew Considine of Aberdeen celebrates his goal during the Ladbrokes Premiership match between Aberdeen and Rangers at Pittodrie Stadium on December 4, 2019 in Aberdeen, Scotland. (Photo by Scott Baxter/Getty Images)
Aberdeen are currently without defenders Andy Considine and Michael Devlin due to long-term injuries.
In fact, their squad is so stretched right now that Jim Goodwin only named five substitutes, of a possible nine, on Saturday.
Nevertheless, Declan Gallagher and David Bates is a solid centre-back duo with Celtic loanee Adam Montgomery over on the left.
In midfield, Scott Brown is hoping to be back while Christian Ramirez has been a sensational signing, scoring 15 times since arriving from Houston Dynamo.
Scottish Premiership table:
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