SCOTTISH football aficionado Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) shares his verdict on Thursday night's televised Premiership showdown from McDiarmid Park.
St Johnstone vs Aberdeen | Thursday 20th August 2020, 19:30 | Sky Sports
I don't think I can recall such fluctuation in a set of match prices – St Johnstone have gone from an initial best price of 11/5 into 8/15, now they have settled back at around 13/8, albeit the changes have been within the two-week delay in getting this game on.
The uncertainty of the availability of the eight Aberdeen players was the reason for the volatility of the market, especially around the time when the match was originally to be played. Those eight players having had to self-isolate – due to two of them testing positive for COVID-19, after they all had a night out together in a local bar.
Striker woes
It's unclear at this stage what players Derek McInnes will select, but suffice to say, he has major issues in the striker department. Sam Cosgrove, Curtis Main and summer signing Ryan Edmondson are all out injured.
Whether Bruce Anderson (who was one of the eight) will be selected as the main striker, is open to doubt. He led the line in their only league match so far, a 1-0 defeat at home to Rangers, a match in which the Dons were disappointing and very passive.
It was mentioned in the media that midfielder Lewis Ferguson was set to be used as a makeshift centre-forward in Aberdeen's previously cancelled match. So, if that is the case the 18/1 bet365 are offering on him to score first would be value and maybe worth an interest.
Decent start
In their three away games the Perth men have played, they’ve suffered a 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox, Either side of a draw and a win.
The 1-1 stalemate at Tannadice was despite playing Dundee United with 10 men for around half of the match. Then on Saturday, they trailed Kilmarnock 1-0 before then the home side had a player sent off and Callum Davidson's men grabbed two late goals.
Joust
Experienced referee Willie Collum is in charge for this clash in the Fair City. The last time they clashed at McDiarmid Park, Saints finished the match with nine men, so it should be a keenly-fought contest once again with a few cards.
Danny McNamara the right wing back is maybe worth a tickle at 11/4 to receive a card. He could be directly up against ex-Saints wide man Matty Kennedy (if selected), so it could be a tasty, interesting joust. McNamara was booked on the opening day of the season, and has received a few yellow cards when playing in England.
Recent meetings
2019-20. 1-1 at Perth, 1-1 and a 0-1 win to St Johnstone in Aberdeen.
Traditionally, this isn’t a fixture that tends to produce gallons of goals. St Johnstone have a fine recent record against the Granite City men, mind.
Both teams could match up each other, playing formations with three central defenders. The Pittodrie side could play new signing from Rangers, Ross McCrorie in defence or as holding midfielder. Ex-Don Stevie May has returned to training for St Johnstone, but Scott Tanser was injured at Rugby Park and is a doubt.
Whatever starting XI McInnes fields, the defence and midfield areas should still be relatively strong.
This promises to be a tight match up, and a difficult one to call. It may just be that when the dust settles after, that both managers would be reasonably happy with a point-a- piece. Davidson in his first home match, and McInnes especially, with everything that has transpired in the last few weeks. So the Draw 11/5 with Unibet is the selection.
Best Bets
St Johnstone vs Aberdeen – Draw (11/5 Unibet)
St Johnstone vs Aberdeen – Danny McNamara to be carded (11/4 Bet365)
St Johnstone vs Aberdeen – Lewis Ferguson to be the First Goalscorer (18/1 Bet365)
