Tomorrow's opponents are one of the few teams we'll come up against - along with Rangers and Hibs - who still have something to play for. Aberdeen have a Scottish Cup semi-finals to get ready for, while they still have a reasonable chance of making it into the top six. No doubt their fans are disappointed with their league form, but at least they have a target to aim for over the next few weeks - and even longer if they make the top half of the split.
Aberdeen's players will be desperate to impress over the next few weeks in a bid to earn starting places at Hampden. Derek Soutar - who has often played brilliantly against us for various teams - has done well in recent weeks and has a good chance of gracing the turf at Mount Florida. Lee Miller has had a good season by his standards and will be looking for more goals against us, while the likes of Barry Nicholson and Scott Severin are always a threat in midfield.
Some of our players will also be desperate to do well, but for different reasons. With several contracts due to expire in the summer, they have ten games to show they are worth new ones. Decisions should already have been made on some, but the likes of Stewart Kean, Garry Brady and Franco Miranda may get another chance over the next few weeks. Richard Brittain and Stephen O'Donnell have been injured and must be worried about their futures, but they are close to full fitness and could make the squad. Jim Hamilton - another player out of contract - will return, while John Potter will miss out through injury.
With nothing to play for, the next few games should provide the opportunity to give some youngsters a game. David Barron has been a regular since the turn of the year and will gain some more experience, but it would be nice to see Marc McAusland and Mark Docherty prove they can cut it on the big stage (especially if it means we don't need to play Andy Millen). Stephen McGinn and loan pairing Ryan McCay and Craig Molloy have some first team experience, but a few more SPL starts wouldn't do them any harm.
Things can't be any worse than they were on Tuesday, but after Aberdeen beat Celtic during the week they'll probably be up for this one as they try to impress their own fans and secure their semi-final starting sports. As a result, I think they'll win quite comfortably.