MATCH PREVIEW: SAINTS VERSUS ABERDEEN
26th July 2016
PHOTO: Steven MacLean returns to the squad after missing the defeat at Kilmarnock.
Tomorrow night, St. Johnstone will return to league action after a fortnight's respite. Having secured a fifth consecutive top-six finish, Saints now aim to finish the season with a set of positive results. Their first post-split fixture is an intriguing home encounter against Aberdeen (7.45pm kick-off).
Saints' most recent Premiership clash incited mixed emotions. A lacklustre performance ended in a 3-0 defeat against a struggling Kilmarnock side. However, results from elsewhere ensured that St. Johnstone would finish in the top-six once again. Having said that, this impressive league placing hasn't been achieved by default. Despite a comparatively poor run of form during recent months, St. Johnstone have again proved themselves to be one of the most formidable top-tier teams throughout the course of the season. A remarkable run of form between mid-September and early December laid the foundations for another successful campaign.
Tommy Wright's men will be aiming for a 4th-place finish. Unfortunately, following Celtic's Scottish Cup defeat against their Old Firm rivals, Saints are no longer able to qualify for a fifth consecutive European campaign. Nonetheless, each league position carries the incentive of additional prize money. As long as it remains a possibility, there is no doubt that St. Johnstone will be aiming to finish as high as they can.
Derek McInnes' Dons are nearing the end of another impressive season. They haven't yet been able to take meaningful advantage of any Celtic slip-ups, but they still remain in arithmetical contention to win the league. It certainly looks improbable (8 points behind the league leaders with 5 games remaining), but a victory at McDiarmid Park would put a small amount of pressure on Ronny Deila's Bhoys before they play host to Ross County on Sunday afternoon.
It is currently a tight battle for 4th place. Motherwell currently sit in 4th, one point ahead of St. Johnstone who enjoy a superior goal difference over Ross County. A home victory would maintain Saints' strong position in the top half of the league.
Saints have enjoyed a fairly productive season against 2nd-place Aberdeen. A brilliant 5-1 victory at Pittodrie was followed by an entertaining 4-3 defeat at McDiarmid Park. Our most recent league tussle ended in a 1-1 draw at Pittodrie. Liam Craig rescued a draw with a last-gasp penalty.
Recent absentees Steven Anderson, Brian Easton and Murray Davidson may be set for a return to action. Craig Thomson and Dave Mackay will miss out.
For those who are unable to be there, tomorrow's match will be televised live on BT Sport. Otherwise, come along to McDiarmid Park and enjoy ninety minutes of top-flight football under the floodlights. The race for 4th place is well and truly on. Come on ye Saints!
Match preview by Ollie Wale