Aberdeen play host to Livingston in round 16 of the Scottish Premiership. The two teams met each other in the second round of the league, and Aberdeen came out as the eventual winners by a scoreline of 2-1 away from home. Both teams are in the bottom half of the table, with Livingston just two points behind their opponents with a game in hand.
Aberdeen had 62% of the ball possession in the last meeting between the two teams and dominated the possession in every phase of the match. Livingston’s players attempted two more shots than the opposition and had a higher expected goal rate but were unable to convert the chances. The hosts scored their only goal around the 35th-minute mark. An early goal in the second half by Teddy Jenks and an injury-time winner from Jack MacKenzie handed the away side a victory. Defender Declan Gallagher attempted the most number of shots in the game. He was dominant in the air and won five aerial duels.
Aberdeen suffered a 1-2 defeat away at Celtic in the previous round. Lewis Ferguson converted a spot-kick for his side and took his goal-scoring tally to three goals. The team has now scored 16 goals, conceding 21 in return. Aberdeen has attempted 161 shots so far this season, and the team averages more than ten shots per match. Their average is the fourth-best in the league.
Christian Ramirez is the highest goal-scorer for Aberdeen. The USA international has netted six goals in his debut Premiership season and even has an assist to his name. Midfielder Funso Ojo will miss this match due to suspension. They will also be without their top assist provider Calvin Ramsey.
Livingston suffered a 1-3 defeat against the Rangers in the previous round. Both teams faced the top two teams in the league in their previous rounds. The defeat against the Rangers ended Livingston’s five-match unbeaten run in which the team earned nine points. Livingston attempted seven shots with four on target. Bruce Anderson scored the only goal for his side.
In the last meeting between the two teams, Livingston attempted 11 shots and had four on target. A total of eight shots were attempted from inside the opposition’s penalty box, and the goal was scored from straight down the middle of the goal. Scott Pittman, Jack Hamilton and Bruce Anderson attempted two shots each in the match.
Livingston have the lowest expected goal rate in the league. The team has scored 12 goals and conceded 20. They have attempted the least number of shots towards the opposition’s goal in the league. Bruce Anderson is the top goal-scorer with four goals, and he also has three assists to his name. There are no fresh injury concerns, and Ayo Obileye is expected to return after completing his suspension.
The two teams will look to kickstart their season with a win in this fixture. Aberdeen have a better goalscoring record than their opponents and create more chances. They will look to make it two in a row against their mid-week opponents. Livingston will look to overcome their loss against Aberdeen and score more goals.
