St. Johnstone vs Aberdeen Prediction: Goals may be in short supply

Aberdeen underwhelmed in the Scottish Premiership last term, finishing ninth in the regular season before going nine games unbeaten to top the relegation group in the second phase of the campaign.

Former Elfsborg manager Jimmy Thelin was appointed Dons boss in June and they have won all four of their League Cup matches to announce a strong start to his tenure.

Better will evidently be expected this season and they will be hoping for the perfect beginning in their SPL curtain-raiser against St. Johnstone, who had only Ross County and Livingston below them last term. Below you can find my St Johnstone vs Aberdeen prediction. 

Team news

 St. Johnstone could be without their leading scorer from last season, Nicky Clark, who is an injury doubt, while summer arrival Uche Ikpeazu is not expected to be in first-team contention until the start of September. Left-back Andre Raymond is also missing due to a hamstring issue.

Dons, meanwhile, have Dante Polvara missing with a similar hamstring problem while Leighton Clarkson has dislocated his shoulder and is set for a spell on the sidelines.

St Johnstone vs Aberdeen Odds

Having shown stellar form in the League Cup, Aberdeen are 7/5 to get their Scottish Premiership season off to a winning start.

Hosts St. Johnstone are 2/1 to down the Dons while the draw, which has been the outcome in two of their last four meetings, is available at 9/4.

Both teams to score is an 8/11 chance while over 2.5 goals is 10/11, although a low-scoring approach may be the way for bettors to go.

Under 2.5 goals - 4/5

Recent rivalries between these two teams have been short on attacking verve and another low-scoring contest could be on the cards with neither side wanting to get the league campaign off to a losing start.

The last 13 Scottish Premiership meetings between this pair have gone under 2.5 goals and St. Johnstone are weakened in attack without the services of Clark and Ikpeazu.

Aberdeen have been racking up the goals in the League Cup, scoring 15 times in recording four straight wins, but those successes came against lower-league opponents and this will be a tougher assignment.

Football Odds

The Dons conceded only once in that period, so defensively look assured and they will be confident of stifling an attack who scored only 29 goals in 38 league games last term.

The Saints know they will have to keep things tight to be competitive and nine of their final 13 home league matches last season went under 2.5 goals.

Ester Sokler first goalscorer - 9/2

It may take just one moment of brilliance to decide this one and, having had a productive League Cup campaign, Aberdeen’s Ester Sokler could be the man to produce it.

Sokler struggled last season following his arrival from Radomlje, netting only once in 26 outings, but he has four goals in four matches this term and is averaging a strike every 70 minutes.

The 25-year-old Slovenian may now be warming to the task and, with new manager Thelin showing plenty of faith in him, he could break the deadlock in what promises to be a tense encounter.

Offers

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