Aberdeen v St Johnstone Preview

Sunday promises to be another cracking day for the players and fans (well only if we win). Around 20,000 Dons fans are expected to flock west once again to watch their team play in their second semi-final of the season versus Scottish league cup semi final opponents St Johnstone. The facts and figures point in Aberdeen's favour coming into this match but football can be football and you never know what can happen on the day. To reach a second cup final in a single season would be a phenomenal achievement and I bet nobody would have imagined what a success McInnes would have been in a year winning us a cup, with a chance for another and placed second in the league.

However Derek McInnes, as ever will not be getting carried away and will take each game as it comes, and as he would say - We have not won the cup yet, there is still 180 minutes (or more taking extra time into consideration) of football to be played and a lot of effort, concentration and endeavor to be applied. To be honest it is our job as supporters to become excited and put our team several steps forward to where we actually are. As the excitement builds however there are several injury concerns for Aberdeen. Jonny Hayes has been ruled out of the cup clash as he has not recovered in time to be fit for the match. The winger will be missed, considering he scored twice in our last semi-final against St Johnstone and would have injected more pace and drive into the team. Tate and Zola are carrying niggles coming into the match but should be fit. 

The Dons have all the facts and history in their favour for the game. Aberdeen and St Johnstone have met 27 times in cup competitions with the Saints yet to record a single victory with the Dons winning 21 and drawing 6. St Johnstone will also be looking to reach their clubs first ever cup final so will that have a bearing in the match? Aberdeen are also yet to concede a goal against the Saints this season in four meetings whilst firing seven goals past them. Will St Johnstone's cup curse continue or will they break free from it dumping the Dons out? Well we will have to wait and see but let's just hope it's not the latter. 

The game will be won and lost on Sunday through shots on goal (obviously), whoever takes their chances on the day will progress through to the cup final. That proved the case in the League cup semi final as the Dons were the more clinical on the day prevailing by four goals to nil. Rooney and May will be the ones to watch and whoever performs better on the day could push their team a long way to progressing.

Aberdeen v St Johnstone

Sun 13th April 2014

Ibrox Stadium