The Dons make the short trip to Dens Park to take on Dundee in their first away game of the new domestic season. It’s been a busy start to the campaign for Derek McInnes’s side with the double-header coming days before the league opener against Rangers. On Sunday it looked as though The Dons were going to start off with a defeat, but academy graduate, Bruce Anderson came up with the goods with a fantastic finish to snatch a point in stoppage time.

Post-match The Dons were dealt a blow to their already injury-hit squad as Scott McKenna, who has been an integral part of the team, was ruled out for six weeks following a hamstring injury in the Rangers match.

DUNDEE

The Dees kicked off their 2018/19 campaign with a defeat to Premiership new boys, St Mirren in Paisley. Dundee were taking confidence from a successful Betfred Cup group stage as they qualified as one of the best runners-up sides and will play Ayr United next Saturday in the last-16. Neil McCann’s side will be looking for an improved season after finishing 9^th in the table.

WHAT DEREK MCINNES SAID

On Thursday lunchtime, The Dons manager spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s match at Dens.

“It looks like our worst fears for Scott McKenna were confirmed after the scan. There’s a significant tear in his hamstring and was an unnatural position he got himself into with the block. The effects of the game from Thursday night may have had a role to play. There’s no doubt it’s a blow to us because he’s been in terrific form since he got in the team. I think when you put a squad together it allows you to try and cope without key players.

“It will be tough. Dundee have shown they are capable of big results and Neil has made some changes there and brought in some players. We’ve familiarised ourselves with them more this week having watched them. They’ve not had the start they would have wanted but having watched the game back against St Mirren they have been hard done by not to get something from the game. Ultimately a mistake has cost them getting something. I think it will be tough and it normally is at Dundee, but we normally get good results down there and overcome that challenge. We’ll have a big support there will over 3,000 going down to Dens and they’ll be in good voice.”

To read Derek’s full press conference click here

WHAT ANDY CONSIDINE SAID

“It’s going to be a very tough game. It always is at Dens Park and will be a tight game. We’ve got a good record down there, but every season is different. They’ve recruited well and it will be a very tough game.

“We’ve had a really good week. We managed to relax on Monday and Tuesday and then got back into training. The manager has got us back up to speed and everyone’s looking sharp and other than the injuries we’ve got everyone’s looking good.

“One thing that’s been good for myself and every other player in the dressing room is you need competition for places as it keeps you on your toes. The last thing you need is getting too comfortable with your position. If the manager brings in more because we’re short, it keeps everyone on their toes. It just means if you play next Saturday you’ve got to perform consistently every week.”

To read Andy’s full press conference click here

ABERDEEN V DUNDEE | FOR THE RECORD

The Dons are aiming for a tenth successive victory over the Dark Blues this Saturday, but the games last season were closer than the record suggests with all Aberdeen’s victories coming by a single goal. Stevie May introduced himself to the Pittodrie faithful with a fantastic double on his home debut to sink a resilient Dundee 2-1. After a difficult period, Scott McKenna’s goal was enough to give The Dons all three points at Dens in December. Another close contest at Pittodrie in March would follow and Graeme Shinnies’ first half strike was the only goal and The Dons made it three from three against Neil McCann’s men.

Derek McInnes has an impressive record against Dundee with ten wins, four draws and one defeat, which came in the Scottish Cup. Under McInnes The Dons have scored 32 goals and conceded 12, with the biggest winning margin coming in the 7-0 route two seasons ago where Andy Considine scored a remarkable hattrick.

MEMORABLE MATCH

In 2014, The Dons backed by over 3,500 supporters, went to Dens Park in October looking to continue their fine form. The match got off to the perfect start when Andy Consdine headed home after five minutes, but the hosts hit back immediately to level.  A James McPake own goal had Aberdeen ahead before the break, but once again Dundee levelled through David Clarkson’s penalty. The drama was far from over and just after the hour mark David Goodwillie bulleted a header into the top corner to give ensure Aberdeen went back up the road with all three points.

You can watch the highlights from the match here.

RED TV

RedTV International- live video coverage courtesy of DeeTV. GB & Ireland- live RedTV audio commentary from 2.45pm. Full reaction post-match, There will be a match replay from 10pm, goals and highlights from midnight.

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