Aberdeen, currently sixth in the Scottish Premiership with 24 points (7 wins, 3 draws, 7 losses), face Dundee United, who are eighth with 21 points (4 wins, 9 draws, 5 losses). The small points difference highlights the importance of the match for both teams. Aberdeen are on a poor run, having lost their last three matches in all competitions, conceding an average of 1.8 goals per game, exposing defensive vulnerabilities. They are also missing five key players, including forward Bojan Miovski, which will impact their attacking and defensive capabilities. Dundee United are unbeaten in their last three matches, with one win and two draws, including a 1-1 draw against Hibernian in their last game. However, their defence struggles with aerial duels, and their defensive midfielders concede numerous shots on target. They will need to be particularly wary of Aberdeen's set-piece threat, which accounts for 35% of their goals. In their last six encounters, Aberdeen have a slight disadvantage with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. However, the teams haven't met at Aberdeen's home ground this season. Aberdeen may adopt a 5-4-1 formation, focusing on a compact defence and counter-attacks, relying on set-piece opportunities. Dundee United's manager, Goodwin, might switch to a 3-4-2-1 formation to strengthen their wing play. However, their attack is heavily reliant on the right winger's individual skill, which could leave them vulnerable if he is well-marked. The weather at Pittodrie Stadium will be 4°C with partial cloud cover and a wind speed of 3.7 m/s, potentially affecting the performance of technical players. Aberdeen's recent form suggests a high-scoring game is likely.