Match preview: Ross County host Aberdeen at the Global Energy Stadium in Dingwall
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Ross County will go into this afternoon's match against already having had a boost, after St Mirren and Kilmarnock's appeals against Covid-19 forfeits were successful.
That means that Hamilton Accies and Motherwell, who were due to benefit from being awarded points, are still well within reach, and the Staggies will be hoping to leapfrog both sides today.
Aberdeen will prove tough challengers in Dingwall though, but with a mixed bag of results over their last seven matches County may feel like they can get at the Dons and claim all three points.
Team News
Ross County: John Hughes expects Callum Morris and Ross Stewart to be in the matchday squad, assuming they have had no injury flare ups in the day or two before this afternoon's match.
Carl Tremarco was also due to return, but after he was confirmed to be a pundit on Ross County TV's pre-match show, he may not be ready to take part yet.
Mohamed Maouche has been given a leave of absence to return to France as his mother is ill, while trialists Sam Stanton and David Cancola have not signed permanent deals as of writing.
Aberdeen: With the Dons' midweek trip to Livingston called off, Ryan Hedges remains suspended.
Connor McLennan could be in contention to take his place as he works his way back from a foot injury, while former County goalkeeper Gary Woods will likely come on to the bench in place of the retired Tomas Cerny.
Derek McInnes will have to do without Greg Leigh (hamstring), Dylan McGeouch (groin) and Mikey Devlin (ankle), who are all still out injured.
Recent form
Ross County: lost 3–1 away at Livingston, drew 1–1 at home against St Johnstone, won 2–0 away at Hibernian, lost 2–0 at home against St Mirren, lost 2–0 away at Celtic.
Aberdeen: lost 2–1 at home against Rangers, drew 0–0 at home against Dundee United, won 2–1 at home against St Johnstone, drew 0–0 away at Motherwell, won 2–0 away at Kilmarnock.
Head-to-head (all competitions)
Ross County 7
Draws 2
Aberdeen 16
Last five meetings
Aberdeen 2–0 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, December 12, 2020
Ross County 0–3 Aberdeen – Premiership, Sunday, September 27, 2020
Aberdeen 1–2 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, February 22, 2020
Ross County 1–3 Aberdeen – Premiership, Saturday, November 9, 2019
Aberdeen 3–0 Ross County – Premiership, Saturday, August 31, 2019
Ones to watch
Ross County: Ross Stewart – the forward may only just be returning form injury, but the Staggies desperately need him to return to the form of last season.
Although he has not managed to be as prolific in the 2020/21 campaign, in many ways he is still County's talisman, and with Oli Shaw so far unable to recapture his scoring touch after injury the burden and spotlight will once again fall on Stewart's shoulders to fire the Staggies up the table.
Speculation continues to run over his long-term future, but John Hughes seems confident that Stewart will stay in Dingwall until at least the end of the season – if he is to get a big move then he will need to be finding the net on a consistent basis.
Aberdeen: Scott Wright – the 23-year-old is another man whose future is the subject of much discussion. When fit and playing so far this season, he has been one of Aberdeen's brightest sparks.
It is perhaps then no surprise that the likes of Rangers are sniffing around the winger, who can be approached on a pre-contract basis immediately.
The Ibrox outfit seem to want a deal sooner than that, so if Wright is not in the squad it would suggest that is closer than previously believed. If he does play, the Aberdonian will want to make sure he leaves his hometown club on a high in what could be his swansong in Dingwall.
Ross County manager John Hughes' pre-match thoughts
“Every game from now is a cup final, it is that old cliche.
“We still have to go out and express ourselves, we have to have the freedom to go and play.
“We know what we are up against. Derek has done a marvellous job up there, he has a really good Aberdeen team.
“They are where they are for a reason and they will want to bounce back after their defeat on Sunday.
“I feel the boys are in a false position, what I have seen of them on the training pitch, with their attitude, commitment and honesty. The problem, like most of the teams in the bottom half, is inconsistency.
“When we are good, like we were against Hibs, we can beat anybody.
“All I have said to my players is to tell my players to let them know the opposition they have been in a game, and it will be the same against Aberdeen, they will know they have been in a game.”
