Match Overview
The upcoming clash between St. Johnstone and Aberdeen is pivotal in the Scottish Premiership, as both teams aim to secure vital points. St. Johnstone, currently struggling in the lower half of the table, will be keen to leverage their home advantage at McDiarmid Park. Meanwhile, Aberdeen, sitting comfortably in the top half, will look to consolidate their position and push for a higher finish.
Odds Analysis
The average odds for this match suggest a competitive encounter, with Aberdeen slightly favored to win. The odds are as follows:
- Home Win: 3.28
- Draw: 3.52
- Away Win: 2.11
These odds translate to probabilities of approximately 30.5% for a St. Johnstone win, 28.4% for a draw, and 41.1% for an Aberdeen victory. The odds indicate Aberdeen as the likely winners, but the close margins suggest a tightly contested match.
Team Analysis
St. Johnstone
- Current Form: St. Johnstone has struggled this season, with an average of 1.1 goals per match and conceding 1.86 goals.
- Strengths: Their possession rate of 53.59% and successful passes of 357.62 per match highlight their ability to control the game.
- Weaknesses: Defensive frailties are evident, with an average of 1.86 goals conceded and a high expected goals against of 1.53.
Aberdeen
- Current Form: Aberdeen has been more consistent, averaging 1.31 goals per match and conceding 1.59 goals.
- Strengths: Their offensive capabilities are notable, with an expected goals of 1.37 and a higher shots per match at 10.55.
- Weaknesses: Discipline could be an issue, with an average of 2.48 yellow cards per match.
Head-to-Head
In recent meetings, Aberdeen has had the upper hand, often outscoring St. Johnstone. This historical advantage could play a psychological role in the upcoming match.
Tactical Approaches
St. Johnstone may focus on a possession-based game to mitigate Aberdeen's attacking threats, while Aberdeen might exploit St. Johnstone's defensive vulnerabilities with their superior offensive metrics.
Key Players Spotlight
St. Johnstone
- Makenzie Kirk: Leading scorer with 7 goals, crucial for St. Johnstone's attacking play.
- Jack Sanders: Defensive stalwart with a high CompaScore rating.
Aberdeen
- Kevin Nisbet: Top scorer with 7 goals, pivotal in Aberdeen's attack.
- Mats Knoester: Key defensive player with significant contributions.
Statistical Deep Dive
- Offensive Metrics: Aberdeen leads with 10.55 shots per match compared to St. Johnstone's 8.9.
- Defensive Metrics: St. Johnstone's higher interceptions (45.69) could be crucial in breaking up Aberdeen's play.
- Possession and Passing: Both teams have similar possession stats, but Aberdeen's higher successful crosses (5.34) could provide an edge.
Prediction and Conclusion
Based on the data, Aberdeen appears to have the upper hand with their superior offensive and defensive metrics. Key factors such as Kevin Nisbet's form and Aberdeen's historical advantage suggest they are likely to secure a win. However, St. Johnstone's home advantage and potential for a disciplined performance could make it a close contest.
Final Score Prediction: Aberdeen 2-1 St. Johnstone Half Time Score Prediction: Aberdeen 1-0 St. Johnstone Both Teams to Score Probability: 62% Over 2.5 Goals Probability: 65%