Scottish League
2008-04-07 - Aberdeen vs Falkirk
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Scottish Premier League
Monday, 7th April 2008 - KO 19:45 GMT
The Scottish Premier League is close to splitting in 2 as it does at this stage of the season and this is one of the final fixtures before this can be completed.
ABERDEEN (8th)
Aberdeen come into their last scheduled league fixture so far this season with the ability to still make the top half of the table. They currently sit in 8th position with a 11-8-13 record and 41 points. With a Scottish FA Cup Semi Final on the horizon on Saturday, the Dons would like to take some momentum into that match. Aberdeen have a solid 7-5-4 record at Pittodrie this season where they have scored 25 goals and conceded 18.
After a tough start to 2008, Aberdeen have begun to pick up some form again as they sense another return to the UEFA Cup is a possibility through their Cup exploits. They are unbeaten in 5 games and have won 3 of their last 4 fixtures in all competitions. The Dons have also won 2 of their last 3 league games.
Aberdeen are also unbeaten in 5 games at Pittodrie, although they have only won 1 of those fixtures. This is made to look better by the fact that they have achieved draws here with Bayern Munich and Celtic in those fixtures. Aberdeen have 2 clean sheets in their last 4 games and have scored in all of the last 14 games they have played.
Zander Diamond returns in defence and Jeffrey de Visscher could also be in line to make a return. Jamie Smith, Richie Byrne, Steve Lovell and Derek Young are all missing.
FALKIRK (6th)
Falkirk need only a draw or better from this game to ensure they finish in the top half of the table. They sit in 6th place with a 11-9-12 record which has them, at 42 points, 1 better point off than their opponents. Away from home Falkirk are 5-4-7 where they have scored 22 goals and conceded 28.
Falkirk have only managed to win 2 of their last 13 games in all competitions. However they have also only lost 1 of their last 7 games in the league. They will be concerned that since beating St Mirren 4-0 at the start of those 7 games, they have only managed to score 1 more goal since.
On a more positive note, Falkirk have kept 6 clean sheets in the last 7 games, including in each of the last 4. They are unbeaten in their last 3 away games, winning 1 of those games, and have also kept 3 clean sheets.
Michael Higdon is in the squad and Falkirk will not have any new injury concerns. Tim Krul and Dean Holden remain out injured.
HEAD TO HEAD
Aberdeen have met Falkirk on 4 occasions already this season, twice at home and twice away. Both fixtures at Falkirk have been draws, but Aberdeen won the more recent meeting at Pittodrie.
Since Falkirk were promoted back into the top flight, these teams have played 10 times and Aberdeen have 7 wins with 3 draws. Aberdeen have also won 4 of 5 at Pittodrie.
PREDICTION :
Falkirk have proved to be a tough nut to crack in recent weeks and would be very happy with another clean sheet. Aberdeen will look to finish in the top half of the table, and a win here would ensure that regardless of what happens for the rest of the season.
Also, with a Cup Semi to compete in on Saturday, I think they will want to pick up some more momentum with another win here.
Aberdeen's home record against Falkirk and ability to score goals (they have only failed to score in 1 home league game) means ill take them to win at a decent price.
The Pick :
ABERDEEN 2-1 FALKIRK
